At the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks, Terry Strada, widow of victim Tom Strada, publicly called on President Donald Trump to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for its alleged role in the terror attacks during a memorial ceremony at Ground Zero in New York City. Strada, chair of 9/11 Families United, directly addressed Vice President JD Vance, who attended the event, urging him to relay her message to Trump. She also criticized former presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden, as well as their administrations, for allegedly failing to pursue justice for victims' families over the past 25 years.
Strada stated that administration after administration chose to protect the Saudis instead of standing with the 9/11 families, accusing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of fostering a culture of anti-American terrorism and supporting the hijackers responsible for the attacks. She demanded that Trump tell the Saudis to stop denying their role in the attacks and clarify that the U.S. cannot maintain friendly relations with a nation that refuses accountability. Strada concluded by thanking Vance for his presence and asking him to carry her message back to Trump.
The remarks were delivered during the ceremonial reading of victims' names at Ground Zero, where Strada paused after announcing her husband's name to deliver her statement. The event drew attention as Strada's speech followed a moment of silence and the traditional reading of names of those killed in the attacks. Vice President JD Vance was the most senior Trump administration official present at the ceremony, while Bush, Obama, and Biden were seated nearby. Trump attended a separate memorial event at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.
Legal and Political Context
Strada's call for accountability aligns with ongoing efforts by a coalition of 9/11 victims' families to pursue legal action against Saudi Arabia. In 2021, a group of families filed a lawsuit alleging that the Saudi government provided material support to the hijackers, citing classified documents and intelligence reports. The case, which remains unresolved, has been a focal point for families seeking transparency about the attacks. Strada has been a vocal advocate for the September 11th Transparency Act, which seeks to declassify and release documents related to Saudi involvement in the attacks.
The U.S. government has historically maintained a strategic relationship with Saudi Arabia, a key ally in the Middle East, despite longstanding questions about the kingdom's role in the 9/11 attacks. The 9/11 Commission Report, released in 2004, did not find conclusive evidence of direct Saudi government involvement but noted that some Saudi individuals and entities may have provided financial or logistical support to al-Qaeda operatives. The report also highlighted the role of Saudi charities and individuals in funding extremist groups, though it did not implicate the Saudi government directly.
Reactions and Responses
Strada's speech drew applause from some attendees at the memorial, reflecting the emotional weight of her remarks and the ongoing frustration among victims' families. However, the event did not include an official response from the Saudi government or representatives of the former administrations criticized in her speech. The White House and the Saudi Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks has reignited public debate about the attacks' origins, the U.S. response, and the pursuit of justice for victims' families. Strada's remarks underscored the unresolved tensions between the families' demands for accountability and the geopolitical considerations that have shaped U.S.-Saudi relations over the past two decades.
Background on Terry Strada and 9/11 Families United
Terry Strada's husband, Tom Strada, was killed in the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Strada has been a prominent advocate for victims' families, co-founding 9/11 Families United to push for transparency and accountability regarding Saudi Arabia's alleged role in the attacks. The organization has been involved in legal and legislative efforts to declassify documents and hold foreign entities accountable for their involvement in the attacks.
The 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks has been marked by a series of memorial events across New York City, including the reading of victims' names at Ground Zero, a tribute at the Pentagon, and a ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed. These events serve as a reminder of the lives lost and the enduring impact of the attacks on American society.