Biden to attend 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York City along with Obama, Bush and JD Vance

(The Center Square) — Former President Joe Biden will attend Ground Zero in New York City for the 25th commemoration of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Biden will attend the ceremony with his wife, Jill, along with other former presidents, including Barack Obama and George W. Bush and members of their families, NewsNation reported, to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, which killed 2,977 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and on board the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back.

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, is expected to attend the Pentagon ceremony, where he will deliver remarks, according to the White House.

Vice President JD Vance will attend the New York City event. Other White House officials will be at the site of the Flight 93 crash, the White House said.

The New York Times reported last week that Trump had wanted to make a speech at Ground Zero during New York City's 911 commemorations but backed out of attending the event after being informed that political speeches are no longer allowed at the site. The White House denied the newspaper's report, calling it "fake news."

"As a proud New Yorker, President Trump has spoken about his own experiences watching the horrific events of September 11, 2001," the White House said. "On the 25th anniversary of this tragic day, the president will remember those who were killed at the hands of evil terrorists, honor their loved ones, and pay tribute to the brave first responders who put their lives on the line to rescue their fellow Americans."

Trump, who was in New York City during the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, last attended the Ground Zero ceremony in 2024. He visited the Pentagon during last year's commemorations and later attended a Yankees game in his former hometown in honor of the victims of the attacks.

"For more than a decade, the ceremony at Ground Zero has featured only family members solemnly reading the names of their loved ones. Elected officials of both parties have borne witness to this solemn occasion over the years, and we have been honored that every living President, including President Trump, has attended," the National September 11 Memorial and Museum said in a statement. "Of course, President Trump is always welcome."

Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said earlier this week that he will attend the Ground Zero ceremony despite calls from critics to bar him from the event.

Mamdani, New York City's first Muslim mayor, has been criticized by Jewish groups over his alignment with pro-Palestinian groups, criticism of the Israeli government, and his use of the phrase "globalize the intifada," which has been linked to acts of violence against Jewish people and acts of terrorism.

Relatives of Sept. 11 victims recently launched a petition urging the National September 11 Memorial & Museum not to permit Mamdani to attend the 25th anniversary, gathering more than 80,000 signatures.

The Port Authority Retired Police Association wrote to Mamdani earlier this month, urging him not to attend the ceremony, citing his "rhetoric and affiliations with groups or individuals who are antagonistic toward the United States and the men and women who protect it."

"We strongly object to YOUR attendance at this year's ceremony," John McDevitt, the association's president, wrote in the letter. "We have profound concerns about your public statements, political associations, and positions that, in our view, are inconsistent with the sacrifice of the victims and the law-enforcement officers who died while protecting others."