After his trip to Vietnam, President Joe Biden decided not to participate in any of the official 9/11 commemorations in New York, Pennsylvania or Virginia, the three places hit by the attack in 2001.
Instead, according to the White House, the president will travel to Alaska where he will give a speech on the anniversary of the most serious terrorist attack on national soil. As he passes through Anchorage, Biden will visit personnel at a military base and their families.
Vice President Harris did participate in the tribute to the victims in New York, held at ground zero where the World Trade Center used to stand. Vice President Harris led the tribute with Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and some other members of the Democratic Party accompanied Harris at this event.
Today, we remember the 2,977 precious lives stolen from us on 9/11 and reflect on all that was lost in the fire and ash that September morning.
The American story itself changed on this day 22 years ago. But what could not — and will not — change is the character of this nation. pic.twitter.com/qYRfyquQxV
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 11, 2023
First Lady Jill Biden attended the memorial event held at the Pentagon in Virginia, where a second plane crashed into the Department of Defense's main building in 2001. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also spoke at this event.
Meanwhile, in D.C. White House staff placed a memorial on the North Portico.
This is not the first time that a president hasn't traveled to one of the three locations that were attacked on 9/11. In 2005, President George Bush held the commemoration that year from the White House.
In 2015, President Barack Obama also hosted a memorial event at the White House, before taking a flight to visit Fort Meade, Maryland, according to AP.
