On the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, an event that killed nearly 3,000 people in 2001, political figures put aside their differences to honour the victims. In a rare moment of unity, President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and Vice President Kamala Harris came together at Ground Zero in New York, with families of the victims looking on.

Earlier that day, Trump and Harris had faced each other in their first-ever debate. However, as they stood at Ground Zero, any signs of political rivalry were absent. In an unexpected scene, Biden and Trump shook hands, with former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg facilitating a handshake between Harris and Trump. This interaction happened just before the solemn ceremony of reading out the victims’ names began.

Alongside Trump was his running mate, Senator JD Vance, as the ceremony got underway. Biden and Bloomberg stood between the rivals, marking a temporary halt to their political competition as the nation remembered those lost in the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

Families Appeal for Accountability

Despite the focus on unity, some of the 9/11 victims’ relatives took the opportunity to appeal for action. One such person was Allison Walsh-DiMarzio, daughter of Barbara P. Walsh, an administrative assistant who died in the attacks. After reading her mother’s name, Walsh-DiMarzio made a direct plea to Trump and Harris for accountability, asking them to press Saudi Arabia for answers regarding any involvement in the attacks. Most of the 19 hijackers were Saudi nationals, though the Saudi government denies involvement in the plot.

Walsh-DiMarzio’s message was pointed: “Which one of you will have the courage to be our hero? We deserve better.” Her call was echoed by Joanne Barbara, widow of Assistant Fire Chief Gerard A. Barbara, who demanded justice for the families. She expressed frustration over a now-revoked plea deal for the alleged mastermind of the attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and two other defendants, highlighting the 23 years the families have waited for accountability.

Honouring the Fallen

For Biden, this anniversary marks his last as president, and he, along with Harris, made stops at all three sites of the attacks: Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed. Biden and Harris laid wreaths at the Flight 93 National Memorial, speaking with relatives of the victims and visiting a local fire station. Trump and Vance also paid their respects earlier in the day, visiting a firehouse in New York City.

Flight 93 holds a special place in 9/11 history. The plane crashed after its passengers and crew attempted to overtake the hijackers, preventing further devastation. Trump referred to the memorial as an “incredible place” in brief comments to reporters.

The 9/11 attacks, which brought down the World Trade Center and damaged the Pentagon, changed the course of U.S. foreign policy and domestic security. The event left thousands of families grieving and survivors grappling with emotional and physical scars.

Remembering the Impact

While it has been over two decades since the attacks, many Americans continue to feel the weight of 9/11. As U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin noted, while some Americans may no longer observe the anniversaries as closely, those in the Department of Defense certainly remember. The ripple effects of the attacks are still evident today, from the Global War on Terrorism to heightened security measures and a shift in how the U.S. views its own vulnerability to foreign threats.

The U.S. led military invasions in both Afghanistan and Iraq in the years following 9/11, with casualties numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Thousands of American troops also lost their lives during these conflicts. These wars not only altered U.S. foreign policy but also left deep scars in communities both at home and abroad.

Patriot Day and Service

In addition to commemorating the tragedy, 9/11 has also become a day of service. Known as both Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance, many Americans use the anniversary as a chance to give back. One such example was Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who spent the day packing meals for people in need in St. Paul.

Over the years, political figures attending 9/11 memorials would often read from historic texts, such as the Declaration of Independence, but since 2012, the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum has limited the ceremony to the reading of victims’ names. It’s a move designed to keep the focus on the families and the memory of those lost.

As the ceremony unfolded, one attendee, Korryn Bishop, summed up the sentiment of many: “If politicians care about what’s actually going on, great. Be here.” For this day, at least, the focus was on remembrance, unity, and justice.