President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended a ceremony at the Pentagon on Friday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, honoring the 184 victims killed when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the building. Vice President JD Vance represented the administration at the Ground Zero ceremony in New York, where former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton were also in attendance. Other officials gathered at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, ensuring a presence at all three attack sites.
The Pentagon observance began at daybreak with a downpour as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and top military officials unfurled a giant American flag on the building struck 25 years prior. The ceremony included the reading of victims’ names and a moment of silence. Trump last attended the Ground Zero ceremony in 2024 and has marked the anniversary at the Pentagon for the second consecutive year.
Ceremonies across all three sites
The 25th anniversary featured multiple memorial events, including:
- Ground Zero (New York City): Family members read aloud the names of the 2,983 killed in the 2001 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The ceremony included seven moments of silence, one added this year to honor the more than 9,000 people who have died from 9/11-related illnesses.
- Pentagon (Arlington, Virginia): Hosted by the U.S. Army, the event honored the 184 killed in the attack on the building.
- Shanksville (Pennsylvania): Marked the crash of Flight 93, where passengers fought back against hijackers.
Additional observances included the Bell of Hope ceremony at Trinity Church, Wall Street, a prayer and music event at St. Paul’s Chapel, and a pregame tribute at Yankee Stadium, where the New York Yankees and New York Mets played.
Security measures and public access
The Ground Zero ceremony in New York enforced strict security protocols, with police checking tickets and credentials before allowing entry. Attendees underwent full security screening at the entrance, which was surrounded by steel fencing. The Pentagon ceremony also maintained heightened security measures, consistent with previous years.
Historical context and attendance patterns
Trump, a New York native, has attended the Pentagon observance for the past two years after previously marking the anniversary at different sites. In prior years, he attended the Pentagon in 2017 and 2019, the Flight 93 National Memorial in 2018 and 2020, and the Ground Zero ceremony in 2024. His presence at the Pentagon this year aligns with his stated commitment to honoring first responders and victims at all three locations.
The White House confirmed Trump’s participation in a statement, emphasizing his role in remembering those killed and paying tribute to first responders. The administration’s presence at all three sites underscored the national significance of the anniversary.