US President Donald Trump will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks at the Pentagon, rather than attending the main remembrance ceremony at Ground Zero in New York, the White House has confirmed.
Trump said on Friday that he would attend the Pentagon ceremony when reporters asked why he would not be in New York for the anniversary.
“Because I’m going to the Pentagon,” Trump said, according to reports.
Vice President JD Vance will attend the New York ceremony, while administration officials will also be present at the third major site of the attacks in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The September 11 anniversary this year carries particular significance as the United States marks 25 years since the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people and fundamentally changed American foreign policy, counterterrorism strategy and national security.
Trump Chooses Pentagon
The Pentagon was one of three locations targeted during the September 11 attacks.
Trump attended the Pentagon's annual remembrance ceremony last year and delivered remarks honouring the victims and first responders. He also attended the Ground Zero ceremony in New York in 2024.
The White House said Trump would use this year's anniversary to remember those killed, honour their families and pay tribute to first responders.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly described Trump as a proud New Yorker and said the president had spoken about his personal experiences of September 11.
Vance To Attend New York
Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to represent the Trump administration at the World Trade Center memorial ceremony in Lower Manhattan.
The New York event traditionally focuses on the victims and their families and includes the reading of victims' names.
The National September 11 Memorial and Museum has maintained a policy since 2012 preventing politicians from delivering speeches during the Ground Zero ceremony, keeping the commemoration nonpartisan.
Reports have said Trump's decision to attend the Pentagon is partly connected to his desire to deliver remarks on the anniversary.
25 Years Since 9/11
September 11, 2026, marks 25 years since the al-Qaida attacks that targeted the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks.
The events transformed the United States' approach to terrorism and national security. Washington subsequently launched military operations in Afghanistan and later expanded its counterterrorism campaign across other parts of the world.
The attacks also resulted in sweeping changes to airport security, intelligence coordination and domestic counterterrorism measures.
Three Sites To Be Honoured
The September 11 attacks unfolded across three locations.
Two hijacked aircraft crashed into the World Trade Center towers in New York, while another aircraft struck the Pentagon.
A fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers attempted to regain control of the aircraft.
The three locations have since become major sites of remembrance.
The White House has indicated that administration officials will be present across all three locations during the 25th anniversary observances.
Trump’s Previous Visits
Trump has participated in several September 11 commemorations during his political career.
He attended the Pentagon ceremony last year, while in 2024 he visited Ground Zero alongside then-President Joe Biden and other political leaders.
Trump has also previously delivered remarks at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania.
His decision to return to the Pentagon this year therefore continues a pattern of presidential participation at the site.
Ground Zero Remains Nonpartisan
The New York ceremony has deliberately maintained a nonpolitical character for more than a decade.
Political leaders may attend, but the event does not generally allow them to deliver speeches. The policy is intended to keep attention on the victims, survivors, families and first responders rather than current political debates.
Former presidents and other prominent figures are expected to attend the 25th anniversary observance in New York.
Vance's presence will ensure that the Trump administration is represented at the Ground Zero ceremony even though Trump himself will be at the Pentagon.
US Remembers Nearly 3,000
The 25th anniversary will also focus on the lasting impact of the attacks on victims' families, survivors and first responders.
Thousands of people who responded to the attacks later suffered illnesses linked to exposure at Ground Zero and other affected locations.
The anniversary is therefore expected to honour not only those who died on September 11, 2001, but also emergency workers, military personnel and others whose lives were permanently affected by the attacks.
Foreign Policy Changed Forever
The September 11 attacks reshaped US foreign policy for decades.
The United States launched its military campaign in Afghanistan less than a month after the attacks, targeting al-Qaida and the Taliban government that had provided sanctuary to the organisation.
The attacks also influenced US intelligence operations, defence policy and international counterterrorism cooperation.
Twenty-five years later, the anniversary remains a major moment of national remembrance.
What Happens Next
The United States will hold ceremonies at New York's Ground Zero, the Pentagon and Shanksville on September 11.
Trump will lead the presidential commemoration at the Pentagon, while Vance will attend the New York ceremony. Other administration officials are expected to represent the White House in Pennsylvania.
The anniversary will provide an opportunity for the country to remember the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks and recognise the first responders and families who continue to live with their consequences.
As the United States marks a quarter-century since September 11, the three memorial sites will once again serve as focal points for remembrance, reflection and tributes to those who lost their lives.
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