In a move that sparked controversy and ignited the ire of the GOP, President Biden chose to observe the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in Alaska, marking a significant departure from tradition.
This decision represents the first time since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, that a sitting president has opted not to commemorate the occasion at either the White House or any of the three attack sites.
Historically, presidents have shown their respect and paid tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attacks by visiting one of the three attack sites in New York City, northern Virginia, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Former President Obama, for instance, participated in a moment of silence on the White House lawn before traveling to Maryland’s Fort Meade in 2015. Similarly, former President George W. Bush took part in a ceremony on the White House lawn in 2005.
However, this year, President Biden will travel to a military base in Alaska to mark the 22nd anniversary of the attacks.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced this week that the president would be attending a memorial ceremony with members of the military and their families. This decision has been met with criticism from conservatives who view it as a break from the solemn tradition of honoring the victims at the sites where they lost their lives.
The White House justified the president’s decision by explaining that his trip to Alaska would follow a visit to Hanoi, Vietnam, on September 10.
During his visit to Vietnam, President Biden is expected to meet with Vietnamese General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other leaders to discuss technological innovation and climate change, aiming to strengthen the relationship between the two nations.
While President Biden will be in Alaska, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will be marking the occasion in New York City.
They will attend a commemoration ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, according to Jean-Pierre. Additionally, First Lady Jill Biden will lay a wreath at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.
This decision comes at a time when the Biden administration is under fire for its handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
The withdrawal, which was announced by Biden on September 11, 2021, ended disastrously in August 2021 when a terrorist attack at the Kabul airport resulted in the death of 13 American service members.
As we remember the tragic events of 9/11, the nation watches as President Biden breaks with tradition. His decision to observe the anniversary in Alaska, rather than at one of the attack sites, isn’t the best look.