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

On the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, President Donald Trump is scheduled to commemorate the day with a ceremony at the Pentagon, honoring those who lost their lives when al-Qaida militants hijacked planes, resulting in nearly 3,000 fatalities across three locations. This marks the second consecutive year Trump has observed the event at the Pentagon, having previously attended the ground zero ceremony in 2024.

Vice President JD Vance will join Trump in New York, alongside former presidents, while other administration officials will attend the ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Last year, Trump delivered remarks at the Pentagon, recounting moments from the attacks, including snippets of conversations from passengers on the hijacked airplanes. At a recent event at the Ellipse in front of the White House, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to "never forget" the victims, emphasizing that the Sept. 11 attacks marked a historical dividing point between "what came before" and "after."

The event featured a 21-foot steel beam saved from the South Tower of the World Trade Center, which was part of the Steel Across America tour and was to be displayed in New York for a procession honoring fallen New York City firefighter Stephen Siller.

On Wednesday, Trump issued a proclamation designating Friday as "Patriot Day 2026," recounting the events of the 2001 day when the "peace of our Nation was shattered" and asserting his administration's unwavering commitment to defend the country with the strongest military globally. The Republican Midterms Convention held on Thursday night also marked the 25th anniversary of the attacks, featuring families and firefighters on stage in Dallas, with the song "Ave Maria" played and a bell rung to remember the victims.