New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been accused of leveraging the lingering wounds of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to advance his political standing. Columnist Michael Goodwin, writing for the New York Post, criticized Mamdani's recent remarks and the release of 170,000 pages of post-9/11 information, arguing that the mayor's accusations against past city leaders regarding toxic air at Ground Zero are "reckless" and "unproven."
On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the attacks, Goodwin contends that Mamdani's tone at a City Hall press conference suggested a conspiracy to hide deadly truths from the public. Mamdani stated that "people got sick because the leaders they trusted lied and told them they were safe to breathe in toxic air." Goodwin disputes this, noting that while the site was obviously unhealthy, protective equipment was scarce for the scale of the operation, and some responders, in their grief, refused available gear.
Goodwin suggests Mamdani's focus on 9/11 issues is a political maneuver, comparing it to an ambulance chaser seeking a "big payday." He points to a petition signed by over 102,000 people urging Mamdani to stay away from the anniversary ceremony as evidence of public disapproval. The columnist links Mamdani's political origins to an "anti-police wave" and recalls his association with a social media commentator who expressed controversial views about the attacks.
The column also questions the scope of Mamdani's blame, noting that federal responsibilities for air quality fall under the Environmental Protection Agency, and issues during past administrations, spanning from George W. Bush to Joe Biden, would involve multiple presidencies. Goodwin also brings into question the role of New York state officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul, who has been in office for five years.
Federal data indicates that 9,677 first responders and survivors have died from 9/11-related illnesses, a number far exceeding the initial fatalities from the attacks themselves. Many of these deaths are attributed to cancers linked to the toxins released from the collapsing and burning skyscrapers. Reports suggest over 57,000 cancer cases can be traced to the aftermath of the attacks. While the health fallout continues to affect society and has prompted questions about what levels of government knew regarding air quality, Goodwin asserts that Mamdani's approach is a partisan attack aimed at diverting attention from his own record and views on other matters.
Goodwin contrasts Mamdani's stance with the sentiment of national unity that followed the attacks and the subsequent creation of the Department of Homeland Security. He also reflects on the pervasive fear of a second attack in the years after 9/11 and the efforts by figures like former Police Commissioner Ray Kelly to ensure public safety, expressing concern that City Hall may not share the same resolute focus on security.