The widow of a firefighter who died inside the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, blasted President Biden during Wednesday’s ceremony in New York to commemorate the terror attacks.
During the annual memorial service at Ground Zero, family members and loved ones of 9/11 victims read aloud the names of those killed.
Joanne Barbara, widow of Gerard Barbara, an assistant chief in the New York Fire Department, went off script to criticize Mr. Biden for an insensitive remark he made a day earlier.
“The elected officials here today show their respect and reference to the families on Sept 11, or in our president’s words do 9/11. Quite a flippant remark,” she said. “But please remember the September 11 families live it every day, not just on the anniversary.”
Mr. Biden used the phrase at the White House on Tuesday while detailing his plans to reporters.
“I’m going up to my granddaughter’s birthday in New York,” he said on the White House lawn. “Then we’re going to watch the debate tomorrow. I’m doing 9/11.”
The slip-up drew a sharp rebuke from the president’s conservative critics.
“YIKES,” wrote RNC Research, an X account managed by the Republican National Committee.
Conservative podcaster Mike Sperrazza shared a clip of the comment on X and wrote, “He’s cooked,” a likely reference to Mr. Biden’s cognitive abilities.
Ms. Barbara also took aim at the Biden administration’s now-scuttled plea deal with three of the men accused of plotting the Sept. 11 attacks, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Under the deal, the three would have pleaded guilty to all charges, including the murder of 2,976 people on 9/11, in exchange for dropping the death penalty and avoiding trial.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ended the plea deal a few days after it was announced by his department.
“It’s outrageous that our government could ever entertain the thought of granting the terrorists a plea deal. If not for the outcry of the 9/11 community, who knows what might have transpired? It has been 23 years, and the families deserve justice and accountability,” Ms. Barbara said to applause.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.