In a rare moment of bipartisanship, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris put aside their political rivalry and shook hands during a 9/11 commemoration ceremony held at Ground Zero in New York City. The event, marking the 23rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, saw prominent U.S. leaders come together to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost on that tragic day.
A Day of Remembrance at Ground Zero
On September 11, 2024, former President Trump and Vice President Harris joined President Biden, Ohio Senator JD Vance, and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg at the World Trade Center site for the solemn ceremony. The commemoration took place just a day after the first-ever debate between Trump and Harris, marking their contrasting visions for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Yet, the mood at Ground Zero was one of unity and reflection.
As they paid their respects to the victims of the terrorist attacks, Trump and Harris were seen shaking hands before the start of the ceremony. Standing alongside President Biden and other dignitaries, the two leaders set aside their political differences to honor those who perished in the coordinated attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Honoring the Heroes and Victims
The ceremony at Ground Zero included a tribute to the first responders who gave their lives on September 11, 2001. Among those remembered were the 23 New York City police officers, 37 Port Authority workers, and 343 New York City firefighters who died in the line of duty. The 40 passengers and crew members of Flight 93, who courageously fought back against hijackers and prevented a larger catastrophe, were also honored.
President Biden, Vice President Harris, former President Trump, and Senator Vance stood side by side as the nation reflected on the significance of the day. Following the Ground Zero ceremony, Trump visited New York Fire Department Engine 4, Tower Ladder 15, to honor the firefighters who responded on 9/11. He then traveled to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to visit the Flight 93 Memorial, paying tribute to the lives lost in the crash.
A National Day of Mourning
While Trump and Harris paid their respects in New York City and Shanksville, President Biden and Harris later took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon, one of the three main sites targeted in the attacks, also saw a large loss of life on that fateful day.
The Legacy of 9/11 and the Aftermath of Afghanistan
This year’s commemoration carries added significance as it comes three years after the United States withdrew its military forces from Afghanistan. The Biden-Harris administration’s decision to pull U.S. troops from the region in August 2021 marked the end of nearly 20 years of U.S. military involvement, which had been initiated in response to the 9/11 attacks.
Since the withdrawal, Afghanistan has been taken over by the Taliban, a group that had harbored the al Qaeda terrorists responsible for orchestrating the 9/11 attacks. The 9/11 commemoration serves as a poignant reminder of the lasting global impact of that day and the ongoing challenges the U.S. faces in combating terrorism.
The 23rd anniversary of 9/11 stands as a powerful reminder of the unity that can emerge from tragedy. The handshake between Trump and Harris at Ground Zero symbolizes that, despite political differences, honoring the memory of the victims and heroes of 9/11 transcends partisanship.
