Condoleezza Rice reflects on 9/11 at Pentagon memorial event

"We reflect not just on what happened here but what people in that moment of crisis did here," she said.

By Ben Whedon

Published: September 11, 2026 10:00am

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Friday recalled her experience during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks during an event at Pentagon to mark the 25th anniversary of the event.

Rice lamented that Americans in leadership at the time were unable to prevent 9/11 and expressed her lingering remorse for the suffering of impacted Americans.

"We reflect not just on what happened here but what people in that moment of crisis did here," she said. Rice went on to speak to the public reaction to the attacks.

"We responded in ways that the evil men who attacked us could never have imagined," she added.

Her remarks came at an event with President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.