Why Mamdani's 9/11 Ceremony Gesture Sparked Backlash

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing pushback after a moment from a 9/11 remembrance ceremony went viral, centered on who ended up with the ceremonial pen he used to sign new executive orders.

Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Mamdani signed executive orders Friday that designate the date as a citywide day of remembrance and service, while also reinforcing the city's efforts to guard against future terrorist threats, according to Fox News.

After signing the final order, Mamdani handed the pen to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and asked her to pass it along to Ramzi Kassem, the city's chief counsel.

City Hall told the New York Post that Kassem's presence at the ceremony was tied directly to his official role, noting that he and his team had drafted both executive orders as part of his responsibilities as chief counsel. Fox News also noted that al-Darbi's case included involvement in the 2002 bombing of a French oil tanker off the coast of Yemen.

Podcaster Benny Johnson wrote on X that the gesture amounted to a slap in the face to victims so close to the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

Former New York state Senate candidate Maria Danzilo posted that she hopes the rest of the country grasps just how difficult it has become to live in New York City under this mayor, particularly with such a solemn day for the city approaching.

Another X user described the move as a deliberate gesture from Mamdani that undermines the memory of 9/11 without consequence.

Sagar is a journalist with an interest primarily in geopolitics and American domestic politics. Before joining Times Now, he wrote for Republic and Sw... View More