Photo: Jill Colvin/AP/Shutterstock
Former PresidentDonald Trumpmade a surprise visit to the New York Police Department’s 17th precinct on Saturday, which marked the 20th anniversary of theSept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Then, turning his attention back to the men and women before him, Trump told those in attendance, “I grew up with you, and you are New York’s finest. You’re incredible people. And I know many of you.”
Opening the floor to questions, Trump was first asked if he has plans to run again in the 2024 presidential election. “That’s a tough question,” he said. “Actually, for me, it’s an easy question.”
“I know what I’m going to do, but we’re not supposed to be talking about it yet, from the standpoint of campaign finance laws, which frankly are ridiculous,” he continued, later stating, “but I think you’re going to be happy, let me put it that way. I think you’re going to be very happy.”
George W. Bush, meanwhile, visited the memorial site for the United Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where he delivered remarks. Bush, 75, was president at the time of the attacks in 2001.
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Trump did not attend either event, though Lee Cochran — a spokeswoman for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum — toldThe New York Timesthat Trump was invited to the New York-based ceremony, but opted to not go.
Donald Trump.Jill Colvin/AP/Shutterstock
Though he did not attend any of the official events like those who came before and after him as president did, Trump did release apre-recorded statementto commemorate two decades since the horrific event in American history. He thanked service members and first responders, before transitioning to another critique of President Biden.
“The leader of our country was made to look like a fool and that can never be made to happen,” he said, referring once more to the recentremoval of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, which was part of a peace deal initially negotiated when he was in office.
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While in office, Trump marked previous anniversaries of 9/11 in a more solemn manner,delivering remarksat services to honor the victims. However, he raised eyebrows for hisinitial reactionto reporters' questions years ago, just hours after the twin towers fell.
Years later, in 2013, Trump again offered an unusual response to the anniversary of the attacks. “I would like to extend my best wishes to all, even the haters and losers, on this special date, September 11th,” hetweetedon Sept. 11, 2013.
source: people.com
