Retired Port Authority officers tell Mamdani, Hochul to stay away from Ground Zero on 9/11

Retired Port Authority Police Officers Call for Mayor, Governor to Skip 9/11 Anniversary

August 28, 2026 – In a series of letters sent to New York City’s top leaders, the Port Authority Retired Police Association has urged Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul to forgo attendance at the 25th‑anniversary commemoration of the September 11 attacks, arguing that their presence would inflict “deep pain” on victims’ families, survivors and first responders.

The association, led by President John McDevitt, sent separate letters to Mamdani and Hochul on Aug. 14, calling the ceremony “not a political occasion, a photo opportunity, or a platform for public officials.” Instead, McDevitt said, the day should be a solemn remembrance of “those who were murdered, those who responded, those who survived, and the families who have carried these losses for twenty‑five years.”

McDevitt cited the Port Authority’s own loss—37 police officers and 47 other employees—during the attacks to underscore the emotional weight of the event. “Thirty‑seven of our brothers and sisters made the ultimate sacrifice,” he wrote. “Their memorial should not become the center of political controversy.”

Concerns About the Mayor’s Presence

Mamdani has publicly announced plans to attend the ceremony and to “proudly honor” the families, survivors and first responders. The retired officers, however, have expressed deep unease with the mayor’s “public statements, political associations and positions,” which they say do not align with the sacrifices made by those lost at the World Trade Center. McDevitt warned that Mamdani’s attendance could “cause deep pain to many members of the 9/11 community” and risk shifting attention away from the purpose of the event.

The association suggested alternative ways for the mayor to mark the anniversary—through a written statement, public message or a separate event—rather than appearing at Ground Zero.

Criticism of the Governor’s Decision to Light One World Trade Center

The letter to Hochul focused on the governor’s decision to illuminate One World Trade Center for Muslim American Heritage Month. McDevitt argued the choice was a “political pandering” that showed “such disregard for the significance of this sacred site.” He called the decision “insensitive, tone‑deaf, and an affront” to those who served at the World Trade Center, and declared that the governor’s action had forfeited her right to stand beside the retired officers at Ground Zero.

Hochul’s office responded by stressing the governor’s respect for the families and her intention to “proudly stand alongside them” at the commemoration. The spokesperson highlighted the role of Muslim New Yorkers as first responders in the aftermath of 9/11 and affirmed that “Islamophobia has no place in New York.”

Petition Gaining Momentum

The demand to bar Mamdani from the ceremony has been amplified by a petition that has surpassed 95,000 signatures. Launched in July by Giovanni Galante—whose wife, Grace Catherine Galante, died on September 11—Galante wrote that the petition is intended to “shield our loved ones by barring anyone who opposes our way of life from the ceremony.” The petition was signed by former Jill Biden spokesman Michael LaRosa, who warned that Mamdani’s presence would act as a “lightning rod” diverting attention from victims and their families.

Official Stance of the 9/11 Memorial

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum has previously emphasized that its annual commemoration is free of politics. A spokesperson noted that government officials are asked to remain in a designated area, not to deliver remarks, and that the event is intended to honor the dead and survivors without political interference.

As the 25th‑anniversary ceremonies approach on Sept. 11, the debate over whether political figures should attend continues, with retired Port Authority officers, petitioners, and officials each presenting their own perspectives on what the day should represent. The outcome will shape how the event unfolds in the coming weeks.