Americans remember the lives lost in the 9/11 attacks 25 years ago
PBS News Hour – Politics — 2026-09-11 17:55:00 — www.pbs.org
Trump Links Iran War Support to 9/11 Memory at 25th Anniversary Ceremony
At a Pentagon memorial marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, President Donald Trump praised the sacrifice of the U.S. military and invoked the memory of 9/11 to justify ongoing conflict. Trump stated, “In 25 years, a generation has passed since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. Yet time has not dimmed the honor of that day when our country came face-to-face with true evil.” He further declared, “We will never, ever forget. That’s why we fight today. We don’t have a choice. There can only be victory. We fight hard. We fight to win.”
Trump’s remarks notably tied support for the Iran war to the memory of 9/11, a move that stands out from the more somber and apolitical tone of previous anniversary ceremonies. His comments come as families, survivors, and dignitaries gathered at sites in New York, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the attacks.
The ceremonies also included calls for greater transparency regarding Saudi Arabia’s role in the attacks, with some victims’ relatives accusing the government of withholding information. Despite these calls for accountability and unity, Trump’s speech emphasized a narrative of ongoing conflict, using the memory of 9/11 to justify military action.
As the nation reflects on the legacy of September 11, Trump’s remarks highlight the continued politicization of the tragedy and the ways in which its memory is invoked in support of current policy decisions. The anniversary serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of 9/11 on American society and politics.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/americans-remember-the-lives-lost-in-the-9-11-attacks-25-years-ago