Trump to commemorate 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks at the Pentagon

President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend a ceremony at the Pentagon on Friday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The event will honor the lives lost when al-Qaida militants hijacked planes and killed nearly 3,000 people in three locations, profoundly altering American foreign policy and national security.

Trump, originally from New York, is set to return to the Pentagon for the second consecutive year to mark the anniversary. Vice President JD Vance will attend the New York ceremony alongside former presidents, while additional administration officials will join the observance in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. During last year's Pentagon commemoration, Trump delivered remarks recounting moments from the attacks, including accounts from passengers aboard the hijacked airplanes.

At a White House event on Tuesday, Trump pledged to "never forget" the victims, emphasizing that the September 11 attacks represent a pivotal moment in history that delineates what came before from what came after. This year's Pentagon ceremony will feature a massive steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center's South Tower, part of the Steel Across America tour.

The beam, weighing nearly 17,000 pounds, will be displayed in New York City during a procession honoring fallen New York City firefighter Stephen Siller. President Trump issued a proclamation declaring Friday, September 11, 2026, as "Patriot Day," highlighting the 2001 day when the nation's peace was shattered and reaffirming his administration's unwavering commitment to defending the nation with a formidable military force.