![\"US](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/afp_6aa435852a37-1789146501.jpg\")
US President Donald Trump speaks at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on Friday [Saul Loeb\/AFP]<\/p>\nA quarter-century after the attacks on September 11, 2001, officials across the United States have taken part in tributes and memorials to honour the 2,977 victims and those who risked their lives as part of the rescue efforts.<\/p>\n
The incident is considered the deadliest \u201cterrorist\u201d attack in US history.<\/p>\n
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Four planes were hijacked. Two crashed into the World Trade Center, causing its Twin Towers to collapse. A third struck the Pentagon outside Washington, DC. And the fourth plummeted into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew rose against their attackers.<\/p>\n
Through social media messages, public speeches and appearances at ceremonies, US leaders on Friday took different approaches to remembering the lives of the thousands who perished on the fateful day.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what they said:<\/p>\n
US President Donald TrumpUS President Donald Trump speaks at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on Friday [Saul Loeb\/AFP]<\/p>\n
US President Donald Trump chose to stay in Washington, DC, to observe the 25th anniversary.<\/p>\n
During the attacks, 184 people died near the capital when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon, the headquarters of the US military.<\/p>\n
Trump opted not to attend a Friday ceremony at the World Trade Center site in New York, where all his living presidential predecessors were in attendance.<\/p>\n
His vice president, JD Vance, travelled to New York instead. The ceremony at the World Trade Center has a policy of not allowing political speeches.<\/p>\n
In his remarks at the Pentagon, Trump described what happened as \u201ctrue evil\u201d. He also paid tribute to those who died in the attacks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will honour their lives, we will cherish their beautiful memories, and we will protect this country and its freedoms for every future generation,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n
The president also praised US troops as he appeared to link the 9\/11 attacks with his administration\u2019s war against Iran.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will never, ever forget. That\u2019s why we fight today. We don\u2019t have a choice. There can only be victory,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe salute the service members working right now to ensure the world\u2019s number one sponsor of terror \u2013 the Islamic Republic of Iran \u2013 will never, ever have a nuclear weapon,\u201d he later added.<\/p>\n
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth![\"US](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/afp_6aa434a13c51-1789146273.jpg\")
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on Friday [Saul Loeb\/AFP]<\/p>\n
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also spoke at the Pentagon, delivering his remarks shortly before Trump\u2019s.<\/p>\n
He warned the audience to practice \u201ceternal vigilance\u201d against what he called continued threats.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are still enemies who hate us. Every day, enemies plot to curb our power and kill our citizens, including from Islamic terrorists abroad and at home,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He proceeded to seemingly use the 9\/11 attacks as justification for the US-Israeli war against Iran, which started on February 28.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the past six months, we have laid waste to the world\u2019s most prolific state sponsor of terrorism,\u201d Hegseth said, referring to Iran. \u201cOur warriors have fought an Islamic theocracy that has wished us death for nearly half a century, that cheered on 9\/11.\u201d<\/p>\n
He went on to claim that the US military has destroyed Iran\u2019s defences and that the US controls the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for international trade.<\/p>\n
Iran has stopped commercial traffic through the strait since the start of the war.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re still sending terrorists where they belong, to hell, and tankers to the bottom of the ocean where they belong,\u201d Hegseth said. \u201cAnd we\u2019re ensuring that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. The economic pressure tightens every day. We control the strait. We will finish this fight.\u201d<\/p>\n
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani![\"(L\/R)](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/afp_6aa4350e414d-1789146382.jpg\")
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attend the 25th anniversary commemoration of the attacks on September 11, 2001, on Friday [Barry Williams\/AFP]<\/p>\n
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended the New York memorial service, alongside the city\u2019s former mayor, Rudy Giuliani, who led the city through the attacks.<\/p>\n
Before the event started, Giuliani shook hands with the mayor, despite previously calling on Mamdani not to attend the event.<\/p>\n
Mamdani, the city\u2019s first Muslim mayor, had recently come under fire from some conservative politicians and victims\u2019 family members who said his presence at the memorial would offend them.<\/p>\n
A Change.org petition garnered more than 100,000 signatures from those who wished to express concern about Mamdani\u2019s participation.<\/p>\n
Like all politicians attending the service at the National September 11 Memorial, Mamdani was not permitted to speak.<\/p>\n
![\"WATERFORD,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/afp_6aa43447e2ea-1789146183.jpg\")
Democratic candidate for US Senate Abdul El-Sayed participates in a town hall event in Waterford, Michigan [File: Emily Elconin\/Getty Images via AFP]<\/p>\n