The widow of a man whose husband, a former Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) chief, died during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks slammed President Joe Biden for his comments on Tuesday that he would “do 9/11.”
Joan Barbara, wife of the late FDNY Chief Gerald “Jerry” A. Barbara It is called Biden was praised at a ceremony marking the 23rd anniversary of the attacks at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, which was attended by Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).
“The elected officials here today express their respect and esteem to the families of the victims of September 11th, to use the president's words, a rather flippant statement to 'do a 9/11,'” Barbara said. “But let's not forget that the families of the victims of September 11th experience it every day, not just on the anniversary.”
“Finally, God bless those who are fighting the post-9/11 illness, our first responders, our military at home and abroad. May God bless America, and never forget,” she added to thunderous applause.
Harris and Biden, who stood next to Trump and Vance at the ceremony, appeared to leave the event before Barbara Harris slammed Biden for his comments.
Footage immediately preceding her diatribe shows Trump and Vance there, but by this point they were flanked by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (D), New York Governor Kathy Hockle (D-N.Y.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
Biden's remarks came at the White House on Tuesday, one day before the 23rd anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, and just hours before the debate between Harris and Trump.
“I'm going to my granddaughter's birthday party in New York, then I'll watch the debate, and then tomorrow I'll talk about 9/11. I've spoken to the vice president, and she seems calm, cool, collected.”
The late Chief Barbara was a 31-year FDNY veteran who helped with the evacuation of Manhattan's Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, according to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum website. Notes.
