President Donald Trump observed Friday's 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks at a ceremony at the Pentagon, commemorating the lives lost when al-Qaida militants hijacked planes and killed nearly 3,000 people across three locations.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump listened as the names of the 184 people killed at the Pentagon that day were read aloud, with a bell tolling between each name. In his remarks, Trump recounted the stories of several of the victims and stated that the moment had led to a fortification of American resolve.
"We will never, ever forget," Trump said. "That's why we fight today. We don't have a choice."
Earlier in the morning, in a downpour at daybreak, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and top military officials stood outside and watched as a giant American flag was unfurled on the building struck by one of the hijacked planes a quarter-century ago.
The ceremony marked the second consecutive year that Trump observed the anniversary at the Pentagon. Trump, who is originally from New York, last attended the Ground Zero ceremony there in 2024.
Vice President JD Vance attended the New York observance alongside former presidents, while other administration officials participated in the Pentagon ceremony.
The September 11 attacks upended American foreign policy and national security, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths across the three attack locations.