America looks back on 25 years since 9/11

Plus: Conclusion of RNC midterm convention

MORNING REPORT  MORNING REPORT Friday, September 11 | By Jared Gans and Sarah Fortinsky View Online  |  Sign up Listen and Subscribe: In today's issue: ▪ A somber anniversary  ▪ Conclusion of the RNC midterm convention  ▪ Supreme Court rejects Missouri GOP map  ▪ Kimmel accuses FCC of threat  © The Associated Press | Adam Gray America looks back on 25 years since 9/11 Americans all around the country today are commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that changed the course of the 21st century.  President Trump will mark the occasion at the Pentagon rather than in New York City, just as he did last year. Vice President Vance will attend New York City’s ceremony at Ground Zero, where the twin towers stood, as will all four living former presidents — Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.  In Washington, D.C., all trains and buses will reportedly stop moving for one minute as part of a moment of silence at 9:37 a.m., the minute that the Pentagon was hit by the third hijacked plane.  The attacks, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives as a result of the planes striking the World Trade Center, Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pa., dawned a new era that launched the war on terror and transformed the country's approach to national security and foreign policy.   Thousands more died in the years that followed, suffering from cancer and various respiratory illnesses linked to the toxic air thrown up by the rubble. Controversy surrounding the number of people whose health has been affected — which well exceeds the number that died on Sept. 11, 2001 — resurfaced earlier this week.  New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) released 170,000 pages of records on Tuesday concerning the city government's response to worsened air quality after the attacks, accusing city leaders of having “lied” about the safety risks.  “People got sick because the leaders they trusted lied and told them they were safe to breathe in toxic air,” Mamdani said at a press conference.  The 9/11 Memorial and Museum estimates more than 400,000 people were exposed to toxic substances from the attacks on the World Trade Center in Manhattan.  Two of those people were Sarah, one of your Morning Report authors, and her twin brother, Jacob. Just shy of four years old, they lived across the street from the twin towers when they collapsed 25 years ago.   In the time since then, their mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and Jacob developed asthma. They believe their conditions are tied to the toxins in the dust from the center.  Sarah recounts her experiences in a personal narrative about her memories of that day, when her family’s home was destroyed and they fled Ground Zero.  "My memories from that day — some of the earliest I have — are spotty," she writes. "But an almost-four-year-old’s memories are different from an adult’s — a truth I have come to understand as both a blessing and a curse."  The Hill's Bill Sammon, who was present at the Florida elementary school where Bush was reading to schoolchildren when he was told of the attacks, reflects for Insider on how the day transformed Bush from a "sort of caretaker president" into a wartime commander in chief — and his own complicated feelings about the legacy of the wars that followed.   "As the father of a combat Marine who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, I have mixed feelings about how things turned out," he writes. "Am I pleased that Saddam’s regime is no more? Absolutely. Am I dismayed that the Taliban is back in power? You bet."  Much has changed since the worst attack on U.S. soil in history. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are now key parts of the government defending the U.S’s national security. They are also routinely closed down in shutdown fights, forcing TSA workers in particular to go to work for weeks at a time without pay, though a move earlier this year to fund DHS through the end of the Trump administration takes that chip off the table for the time being.  Airport security measures were quickly strengthened with metal detectors, bans on bringing liquids over a certain size on planes and a requirement to remove one's shoes as they passed through lengthy security lines. Those latter two restrictions were added after new attempts were made to take planes down.  As The Hill's Rebecca Beitsch reports, some of those measures are starting to be pulled back under the second Trump administration. Beitsch notes that while these security measures may have helped prevent another 9/11-like attack, the security constraints have been to the annoyance of millions of travelers. Some of the reforms have been popular, though they have also raised security concerns.  The move from former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to eliminate shoe removal set off alarms from the Justice Department's Office of Inspector General, which found full body scanners weren't always able to see through shoes. Democrats accused Noem of rushing the decision and failing to fully consult with TSA.  Twenty-five years after the attacks that shook America, and fifteen years since Osama bin Laden was killed in a U.S. operation in Pakistan, the fear of it happening again remains a constant force in debates over privacy and security.  As three of our Generation Z editors write in their weekly column "The Feed," the memories and reactions of older Americans have been engrained in the next generation.   "The events of that day shaped the lives of those born after the terror attacks and grew up watching U.S. troops fight in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. Gen Z and Generation Alpha have also lived through the threats from ISIS, al Qaeda and the Taliban," they write.   Remembrances of 9/11 throughout today will be a stark reminder of all that's been lost, and what's stayed with us, since that morning 25 years ago.   ▪ The Hill: Poll finds 9/11 among ‘most important historic events’ in adults’ lives.  ▪ CBS News: Bush says Americans ‘don’t pay attention to the lesson’ of 9/11.  Smart Take  with Blake Burman Trump is vowing to give every adult American $5,000 if Republicans hold the House and Senate in November. The president suggested in a local interview Thursday that he wouldn’t need congressional authority to do so. However, Congress holds the power of the purse. I asked Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) if he would vote for this promise, and he was noncommittal.  “I want to see details,” Smith said. “The president made a proposal. I'm happy to look at that. The fact is, you know, we legislated on the president's campaign priorities last time, like no tax on overtime, no tax on tips and no tax on Social Security. Millions of Americans are benefiting from that in a substantive way.”  Republicans will be asked how this squares with traditional conservative principles, including the impact on the national debt. Are they willing to push that aside after making the promise that fiscal responsibility will finally be reined?  Burman hosts "The Hill" weeknights, 6p/5c on NewsNation. 3 Things to Know Today The price of a gallon of diesel surpassed $6 for the first time on Friday, according to AAA. The mark is the latest in a series of records for the cost of diesel that have been reached in recent days. The cost of regular gas has also been spiking, reaching almost $4.30 per gallon on average Friday.  The top prosecutor overseeing the Justice Department’s controversial investigations into the president’s adversaries has resigned from the role, he told The Associated Press. Joseph diGenova declined to tell the outlet the circumstances of his departure.  The race for the Senate is so tight, The Hill’s partners at Decision Desk HQ briefly put odds of Democrats taking over the chamber at 51 percent, before shifting things back to the GOP’s favor on Thursday. Just two months ago, DDHQ had placed the GOP’s odds of holding the Senate at 60 percent. Helen Huiskes of The Hill has the full report. LEADING THE DAY © The Associated Press | Julia Demaree Nikhinson 'ALL ABOUT VANCE': The second and final day of the GOP's midterm convention wrapped up Thursday with a rousing speech from the vice president as talk is on the rise about his possible 2028 prospects.  Vance delivered the keynote address, a speech that at one point was interrupted with chants of "48." He brushed off the calls, saying the Republicans must first "take care of business" in November before worrying "about what comes next."  Attendees told The Hill's Julia Mueller, who was reporting from the convention in Dallas, that they have their eye on Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for 2028.  "All about Vance," said Texan Martha McCullough.  "Either one of 'em," said Dedra Taie, also from Texas.  Vance sought to draw a contrast between Republicans and Democrats in his address, branding Democrats as extremists, as many speakers did during the convention.  “I’m not asking you to agree with every policy of our administration. I’m asking you to recognize the contrast with the radicals, and the achievements of the last 18 months,” he said.  Several other potential White House contenders, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Donald Trump Jr., also spoke on the second day.  The president returned to the stage for closing remarks, calling on attendees to make a pledge to vote in November.  “Please raise your right hand,” he said.  “I pledge to the greatest president in the history of the United States that loves us so much he can’t even breathe, that I will go out with my family, my friends."  ▪ The Hill: Vance takes aim at James Talarico in speech.  The New York Times: Vance relishes the spotlight at Trump’s convention   BIPARTISAN BACKLASH: The president's promise to send $5,000 to every U.S. adult if Republicans maintain control of both chambers of Congress in November is facing pushback from across the aisle.  Fiscal conservatives questioned how the federal government could afford to pay the 270 million Americans so much money. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) estimated that the plan would cost about $1.2 trillion.  “Maybe some of us think dependency is evil & soul-sucking in all its forms,” he said in a post on social media.  Marc Short, who served as Trump's legislative affairs director during his first term, said Trump’s pledge further removes his administration from “fiscal responsibility.”  Meanwhile, other critics like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) argued the plan amounted to bribery. Former Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), who chaired the House Freedom Caucus, called Trump’s plan a “socialist vote-buying scheme.”  Trump defended the plan's timing in an interview with Fox News that aired Thursday night, arguing that the country can afford it because of the money being taken in from tariffs.  The proposal still has some support, as Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) said he would prepare legislation so the “Trump dividend” is passed “immediately” after the midterms.  ▪ The Hill: 5 things to know about Trump’s dividend pledge.  ▪ Reuters: Is the dividend legal and how would it work?  CLAMPING DOWN: The Supreme Court blocked an order Thursday that had directed Missouri to go forward with a new congressional map that would have likely netted Republicans an extra House seat in November.  The court didn't publicly explain its decision, and no justice noted a dissent. With the ruling lifting a federal judge's order, that leaves a state court's directive in place that officials use the current congressional map, which has a breakdown of six Republican and two Democratic representatives.  The federal judge's order had sparked confusion about what boundaries would be used in November.  The high court's ruling marked the second time in less than a week that it weighed in to turn away efforts for Republicans to implement the 7-1 map. It was handed down just moments before the Missouri Supreme Court held a hearing on whether Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins (R) should be held in contempt for directing local officials to proceed with the new map.  The conclusion of the week brings an end to a chaotic series of days in the Show Me State as the clock is ticking before the first mail-in ballots are set to be sent out Sept. 19. At least for now, the 6-2 map is what's set to be used, which is good news for Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), whose district is most affected by the changes.  ▪ St. Louis Public Radio: Hoskins agrees to use old map.  ▪ The Hill: Appeals court denies Trump's mail-in ballot restrictions.  FCC VS. KIMMEL: Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel said an interview he conducted with Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico will not air on broadcast because of a threat from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  Kimmel told his audience Wednesday that he has interviewed candidates for office for decades without issue. He said that included Trump on multiple occasions.  “But now that he’s president, something has changed,” Kimmel said. “His FCC has threatened me, threatened my show, threatened our network ... based on simple editorial decisions.”  Kimmel said the conversation will instead be published in its entirety on the show's YouTube channel.  Kimmel has clashed with the FCC before, as Chair Brendan Carr called for Kimmel to be fired last year over comments he made following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.  An interview that former late-night host Stephen Colbert conducted with Talarico earlier this year also was pulled from the air and instead posted on YouTube. CBS denied an accusation from Colbert that the network prevented the interview from airing.  ▪ The Hill: Talarico touts GOP support for his campaign.  WHEN & WHERE The president and first lady Melania Trump will participate in a 9/11 observance ceremony at the Pentagon at 9 a.m. and a wreath-laying ceremony at 10:25 a.m. He will participate in signing time at 2:30 p.m. and later depart the White House to travel to Dublin, Ireland, for the weekend, where will meet with Irish officials and attend the final round of the Irish Open.  The House and Senate are out.  ZOOM IN © The Associated Press | Alex Brandon WHAT COMES NEXT: Sen. John Fetterman's (D-Pa.) surprise appearance on the first day of the GOP's midterm convention is adding to questions about what comes next for the senator increasingly on the outs with his own party.  The Hill's Alexander Bolton reports Democrats in Washington are growing more exasperated with Fetterman over his frequent Fox News appearances and critiques of democratic socialists.  Strategists and analysts said Fetterman's low approval rating among Pennsylvania Democrats already has made him winning reelection in 2028 difficult. And now, one Democratic strategist said Fetterman's virtual convention appearance is "pouring gasoline on the fire."  Fetterman sent in a video to introduce his fellow Pennsylvania senator, Dave McCormick (R), with whom he's grown closer in recent months. In the message, Fetterman described himself as a "common sense" Democrat and continued his criticisms of the Democratic Party's left wing.  Following the day's events, Fetterman confirmed he would continue to caucus with the Democrats in the Senate and would support Democrats if they win back control of the Senate in November.  But the decision to make a high-profile cameo at the convention is being viewed as a major provocation by some Democrats, Bolton reports.  ▪ The Hill: Fetterman fundraising off convention appearance.  ▪ The Hill: Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board tears into Fetterman.  ELSEWHERE © The Associated Press | Yuki Iwamura DENVER SUES DHS: The city of Denver has filed a lawsuit against DHS and Secretary Markwayne Mullin to try to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from showing up at voting sites during elections.   The lawsuit, filed Thursday, claims that ordering federal officers to detain individuals and serve warrants at polling sites violates the “troops at polls” law, which was enacted during the Civil War and prohibits federal officers from showing up to “any place where a general or special election is held, unless such force be necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States.”  Mullin contends that his policy would only allow officers to show up at polling sites “if there is a threat to that polling place or we’re serving a warrant on someone that we have been actively tracking down.”  The city, however, dismissed the claim, citing DHS’s “failure to engage in reasoned decision making and disregard for existing federal law.” Denver pointed to violent encounters involving ICE officers — including two notable instances in which U.S. citizens were killed — and reporting that documented more than 170 examples of ICE officers detaining U.S. citizens.  The lawsuit comes as Democrats have sounded the alarm about the potential for law enforcement officers to intimidate voters during the midterms.   Denver Mayor Mike Johnston (D) said Thursday that stationing officers near polling places “is only meant to scare people and suppress votes,” adding, “We’ll fight tooth and nail to prevent it.”  ▪ NPR: Lawsuit challenges intimidation of DHS observers.  OPINION The 9/11 lesson cybersecurity has yet to learn, Sheldon H. Jacobson writes in The Hill.  Marking 9/11: Remembrance and resilience, readers write in letters to the editor in The New York Times.  THE CLOSER © The Associated Press | Julio Cortez And finally … 👏👏👏 Congrats to this week’s Morning Report quiz winners! They knew their conventions history in time for this history-making convention.  Here's who went 4/4: Rick Schmidtke, Stan Wasser, Jess Elger, Richard Baznik, Patty Porter, Chuck Schoenenberger, John van Santen, Ryan White, Peter Sprofera, Sari Wisch, Phil Kirstein, Linda Field, M. Whitehouse, Jenessa Wagner, Mark R. Williamson, Robert Bradley, Steve Comer, Harry Strulovici, Steve James, Carmine Petracca and Pam Manges.  Before Trump, the only sitting president whose party held a midterm convention while they served in office was Jimmy Carter.  Democrats held three midterm conventions in 1974, 1978 and 1982, though they referred to them as conferences. They were discontinued when party leadership determined them to be a waste of resources.  Party conventions were first held ahead of the 1832 presidential race.  Chicago has hosted the highest number of party conventions, hosting 26 in total.  Stay Engaged We want to hear from you! Email me here and suggest this newsletter to friends! Privacy Policy   |   View in Browser   |   Manage Subscriptions Sign Up for Other Newsletters   |   Unsubscribe   400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2026 Nexstar Media Inc.   |   All Rights Reserved https://nxslink.thehill.com/oc/6230d8d7b246d104952e4da1s8z4x.3zi/ecfb483a