Trump will meet with first responders Sept. 8 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, a White House official confirmed.
“President Trump will pay tribute to the American heroes we lost in the tragic September 11th attacks, their beautiful family members, and to the acts of heroism that defined that fateful day when the unbreakable spirit of the American people prevailed,” White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said in a statement.
“The President will stand with first responders to renew our sacred vow that we will never forget — and that the United States of America will always defend our proud, free nation with unyielding resolve,” Wales said.
The first responders are from the New York City and Washington, D.C. fire departments, the official said, noting that representatives from the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a nonprofit that provides housing and other assistance to veterans, first responders and their families, would also attend.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is undertaking a “Steel Across America” tour, transporting a steel beam from the World Trade Center to cities across the country. The beam will be displayed on the White House Ellipse next week. Trump will speak at the event, as will the foundation’s chairman and CEO Frank Siller, whose brother Stephen Siller, a firefighter, was killed on that fateful day.
Trump will visit the Pentagon on Sept. 11 rather than attend the annual ceremony at Ground Zero in Manhattan. The president decided not to go to New York City after organizers would not allow him to deliver a speech, The New York Times reported, citing four people with knowledge of the events. The White House denied the reporting.
Former President Joe Biden will commemorate the anniversary at Ground Zero, his spokesperson, TJ Ducklo, confirmed following a report by the Times. Vice President JD Vance also is expected to attend the ceremony, a senior administration official told NBC News.
