(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) President Joe Biden has drawn criticism for his decision not to visit New York City to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Instead, he will travel to Alaska, while Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will represent the administration at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in NYC. First Lady Jill Biden will remain in Washington, D.C.
The president’s choice sparked outrage, particularly in the wake of NYC Mayor Eric Adams’s scathing comments about Biden’s handling of the immigration crisis in the city. Adams accused the president of turning a blind eye to the challenges NYC is facing due to an influx of illegal aliens.
In interviews with the Washington Examiner, veterans across the nation expressed their disgust at Biden’s actions.
Mark Geist, a Marine Corps veteran, said, “I expect the same reverence and compassion from the politicians of this country, especially our ‘leader.’ And when I see the lack of, my heart hurts for I see what we are losing.”
Victor Marx, also a Marine Corps veteran, echoed Geist’s remarks, emphasizing that Biden’s absence marked a departure from American values.
“By not visiting the sites, President Biden will miss an opportunity to demonstrate his dedication to upholding the values and principles that define our nation, and it may leave some questioning his understanding of the significance of this solemn day in American history,” Marx said.
Notably, Biden did visit the three crash sites on the 20th anniversary in 2021. However, this year, he is set to become the first president since the 9/11 attacks not to visit a memorial site or the White House to acknowledge the tragic incident.
Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., criticized Biden’s decision in statements to the Examiner. “I don’t think Joe Biden has the mental competency to do it himself, but it’s again, one more snub to the American people,” Mills said. “This comes right after being unable to meet on the anniversary of the Afghan withdrawal when his poor decisions led to the making of 13 new Gold Star families.”
Biden’s snub coincides with Adams’s sharp critique of the president’s handling of the immigration issue in New York City. Adams expressed concerns about the potential long-term consequences of the uncontrolled influx of illegal aliens. “This issue will destroy New York City,” Adams said.
Shortly after Adams voiced concerns about the influx if illegal aliens in the city, Biden ousted Adams as a campaign surrogate ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
