House Homeland Security Committee Visits Ground Zero for 9/11 Anniversary
A bipartisan group of lawmakers from the House Homeland Security Committee is traveling to Ground Zero in New York City to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. This event, taking place on a Thursday, emphasizes ongoing concerns about terrorism in the city.
New York continues to be a focal point for potential terrorist threats, especially as the U.S. prepares for major events like next year’s FIFA World Cup. According to a committee aide, Chairman Andrew Garbarino will lead the visit. The lawmakers plan to honor first responders by laying flowers at the memorial and participating in a guided tour of the Memorial Museum that evening.
Revival of 9/11 Survivor Program Staff
Garbarino highlighted the importance of remembrance, noting, “In the 24 years since DHS was established after one of our darkest days, it serves as a continual call for action.” He added that threats from both foreign and domestic sources remain, with New York often at risk.
A recent assessment by the National Institute of Justice indicated that New York City has experienced the highest number of terrorist attack attempts in the nation this year. In response, members of the committee are pushing for legislation to tackle these persistent threats. For instance, Rep. August Pfluger from Texas has reintroduced the Counter Online Radicalization and Terrorism Act, aimed at requiring annual evaluations of terrorist groups such as ISIS and Hamas by the Department of Homeland Security.
Upcoming Security Preparations
Some committee members, including notable Democratic members like Benny Thompson from Mississippi, are also hopeful to join in the Ground Zero visit. They are expected to visit MetLife Stadium in New Jersey as part of the preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This includes consultations with members of the White House task force, led by Andrew Giuliani, to ensure proper security protocols are in place for the anticipated event.
On the same day, former President Donald Trump will commemorate the Pentagon attack during an annual observance ceremony for 9/11, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Kane.
Fostering Security for Major Events
The Department of Homeland Security is tasked with coordinating safety measures for significant events, such as the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the upcoming U.S. 250th anniversary in 2026. Garbarino emphasized that discussions like these are crucial for enhancing the committee’s understanding of how to keep Americans safe, asserting, “America will never be caught off guard by enemies again.”
