Biden, Harris, Trump, and Vance all attend 9/11 memorial ceremony in NYC

In a rare display of unity, President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump, and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, all came together at the memorial in New York City to honor the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The somber event saw these prominent figures standing side by side, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Michael Bloomberg, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Giuliani, who was mayor at the time of the attack, and Bloomberg, who was elected mayor soon after, paid their respects alongside the current and former political leaders.

Prior to the ceremony, Harris and Trump had engaged in a heated debate in Philadelphia, covering topics ranging from immigration to foreign policy. Despite their differences, they shook hands before the memorial, showcasing a moment of civility amidst a divided political landscape.

At the memorial, the names of the 2,983 victims of the 9/11 attacks were read aloud by family members, a poignant reminder of the lives lost on that tragic day. Citywide moments of silence were observed at key times marking the strikes on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, solemnly commemorating the events of September 11, 2001.

Following the ceremony in New York, Mr. Biden, Harris, Trump, and Vance planned to travel to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to pay their respects at the Flight 93 National Memorial. Each leader was set to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony, honoring the bravery of those on board United Flight 93.

Afterward, Trump and Vance visited Engine Company 4, Ladder Company 15 in Manhattan before proceeding to the United Flight 93 Memorial for a private wreath-laying ceremony. The day was marked by a sense of unity and remembrance as political divides momentarily faded in the shadow of the tragic events of 9/11.

Overall, the memorial ceremony served as a reminder of the resilience of the American spirit in the face of adversity. It highlighted the importance of coming together, regardless of political differences, to honor the memory of those who lost their lives on that fateful day.