The United States marked the twenty fifth anniversary of the September eleventh attacks with ceremonies at Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Shanksville. The events were attended by the president, the vice president, and the four living former presidents.
NPR headlined it "On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, a divided U.S. gathers to remember and grieve". BBC News headlined it "Spies, strategies and missed opportunities: How the lessons of 9/11 are still being learnt".
During the Ground Zero ceremony, Terry Strada addressed the crowd with pointed remarks about how the country has treated the families of victims over the years. Axios said: "For 25 years, administration after administration, including leaders in front of us here today, chose to protect the Saudis instead of standing with the 9/11 families,"1 Strada said during the ceremony."
Reflections on the anniversary also considered how difficult it remains to fully return to the emotions of that day a quarter century ago. "It's impossible, and probably psychologically unwise, to try to recapture the nightmare feelings unleashed by the September 11 attacks 25 years ago", Reason stated.
Elsewhere, commentary turned to the presence of certain public figures at commemorative events, with some arguing that such gatherings demand particular sensitivity toward grieving families. "For 9/11 families, this is not simply a public ceremony—it is a deeply personal day of mourning. The presence of individuals whose words or associations are perceived as conflicting with the solemn purpose of the event risks detracting from that focus and causing additional pain", Fox News said. Fox News said: "Disgraceful," said Steve Guest, a former top staffer for Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. "2AOC and Mamdani look happy."
Fox News headlined it "George Bush welcomes top officials to his home state for 9/11 remembrance on 25th anniversary of attacks". The Guardian headlined it "‘Institutional neglect’: 25 years on from 9/11, experts sound alarm over US counter-terror efforts".
