Vice President JD Vance announced he will attend the 25th anniversary of 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Ground Zero in New York City. He is scheduled to join former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, along with former first ladies Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush.
Vance stated he is "looking forward" to the event and anticipates engaging in "many, many intense intellectual conversations" with former President Joe Biden. The last known time Vance and Biden were in the same room was at former President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025.
The Vice President explained that the decision was made for him to represent the White House in New York while the President commemorates the 9/11 attacks at the Pentagon, with other administration officials attending a ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Vance dismissed reports suggesting Trump’s absence from New York was due to security concerns.
Reflecting on the significance of the day, Vance described the ceremony as an "amazing honor" and a moment for Americans to unite. He also emphasized the importance of younger generations understanding the events of 9/11, recalling a meaningful experience sharing the names of victims with his own family during the 2024 campaign. Vance encouraged Americans to tune in and witness the commemoration, noting that the tragic day historically fosters a "sense of commonality and common purpose."