On Wednesday, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump made a rare joint appearance at the New York City memorial site for the September 11, 2001 attacks, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives. Despite recent contentious debates, Harris and Trump exchanged brief pleasantries before participating in the solemn ceremony.
At Ground Zero, where the World Trade Center towers were destroyed by hijacked planes, family members of the victims recited names in honor of their lost loved ones. The ceremony included a procession with bagpipes and drums, and moments of silence observed at the times of the attacks.
Following the New York commemoration, Biden and Harris traveled to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where United Flight 93 crashed after passengers thwarted the hijackers’ plans. At the white marble memorial, Biden placed a wreath in tribute to the 40 passengers and crew members who perished. They also visited the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department and a nearby memorial featuring 40 waving flags.
At the Pentagon, Biden and Harris laid a red, white, and blue wreath and observed a moment of silence as “Taps” was played. Biden emphasized the resilience and unity found in the aftermath of the attacks, while Trump, visiting the Pennsylvania memorial on the same day, described it as a “very sad, horrible day.”
Earlier, Biden issued a proclamation honoring the victims and the “9/11 Generation” for their service in the military and in the pursuit of justice, including the eventual capture and death of Osama bin Laden.
