President Donald Trump, a native New Yorker, will forego a visit to ground zero for the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks to instead mark the occasion with remarks at the Pentagon, two people briefed on the plans tell CNN.
Trump is not attending the ceremony that will be held at the World Trade Center in part because he wants to deliver remarks, the people familiar with his plans said. Politicians have long not been permitted to speak at the event in New York.
The president’s team had initially discussed having him travel to New York City for the anniversary of the attacks, the sources said, with early plans having Trump attend the memorial ceremony at ground zero.
However, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, which runs the event and oversees the site, has prevented politicians from speaking there since 2012, noting their commitment to remaining nonpartisan. Trump, the sources said, told his team he wanted to give a speech, which led to the change in plans.
Trump will now visit the Pentagon, the site of another terror attack on Sept. 11, next month. Vice President JD Vance will attend the ceremony at the World Trade Center, the sources said.
