Florida leaders reflect on 25 years since Sept. 11 terrorist attacks

Video above: Remembering victims of 9/11 attacks 25 years later

Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, marked 25 years since al-Qaida extremists attacked the United States with four commercial airplanes at the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001.

One of the aircrafts that were hijacked by terrorists and was en route to the White House in Washington, D.C., crashed in a Shanksville, Pennsylvania, field after passengers fought back, which led the terrorists to crash the plane.

According to the FBI, nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks.

Florida political leaders reflected on the lives lost and the heroism of first responders on the day of the attacks.

Governor Ron DeSantis (Republican):

“Today marks 25 years since a group of Islamic Jihadists launched terror attacks that took 2,977 innocent lives. We gathered in Clay County this morning to honor the victims of 9/11 and the heroes who risked their lives to save others.

At Ground Zero, firefighters, police officers, and EMTs rushed into the smoke clouds and rubble, braving unthinkable danger to rescue as many people as they could. Hundreds of first responders—and passengers on United Flight 93—made the ultimate sacrifice so that others could live. We will always remember their heroism and owe them a profound debt of gratitude.

The 9/11 terror attacks were motivated by a foreign belief system that is still a major aspect of not just the Middle East, but increasingly Europe and even the United States. We should be clear-eyed about the threat posed by Islamic Jihad and do all we can to ensure Never Forget means Never Forget.”

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U.S. Senator Rick Scott (Republican):

“Twenty-five years ago, 19 Islamic jihadists attacked the United States in a brutal terrorist attack that took the lives of 2,977 innocent people. In the quarter century since that day, an entire generation of Americans with no memory of 9/11 has grown up, making our promise to Never Forget more important now than ever. Today, I hope all Americans come together to honor the courage, resilience and sacrifice of brave first responders and heroes who went back into the burning buildings to rescue people from the rubble, and of those Americans on Flight 93 who gave their lives to save countless others.

I was in New York City on the day of the attacks. The pain that was left behind from that day is unbearable — so many families were torn apart and people left with unimaginable grief. Now, 25 years later, the pain of that day does not get any easier. America was changed forever; we cannot afford to forget both the evil of those who perpetrated, and the heroism of those who took action.

May we all take a moment to keep the families and friends of the fallen in our prayers during this difficult day.”

U.S. Representative Jared Moskowitz – Democrat (Part of southern Palm Beach County in District 23):

“September 11, 2001 was one of the darkest days in our nation’s history. A generation will never forget where they were that morning: the morning we lost nearly 3,000 innocent souls in one of the most horrific acts of terror the world has ever seen.

But they could not break us. In the days that followed, we saw the best of America. We saw first responders who ran toward the danger, neighbors carrying one another through rubble, and a nation that rose together.

Tonight, two beams of light will rise where the towers stood: a quiet reminder that even in our deepest grief, we endure.”

U.S. Representative Brian Mast – Republican (Part of northern Palm Beach County along with Martin and St. Lucie counties in District 21):

“Today marks 25 years since the horrific attacks of 9/11 that changed our nation forever.

We honor and mourn the thousands of lives lost, including the brave firefighters, police officers, and first responders who ran toward danger to save others.

We will never forget the courage and sacrifice of those who answered the call when their country needed them most.”

U.S. Representative Lois Frankel – Democrat (Part of Palm Beach County in District 22):

“Today marks 25 years since the horrific attacks of 9/11 that changed our nation forever.

We honor and mourn the thousands of lives lost, including the brave firefighters, police officers, and first responders who ran toward danger to save others.

We will never forget the courage and sacrifice of those who answered the call when their country needed them most.”

U.S. Senator Ashley Moody (Republican):

“25 years ago.

May we honor the victims, their families, the survivors, and the countless first responders who showed extraordinary courage.

We will never forget.”

U.S. Representative Mike Haridopolos – Republican (Indian River County in District 8):

“Twenty-five years later, we will never forget the lives we lost, the heroes who ran toward danger, and the unity that brought our nation together in the days that followed.”

U.S. Representative Scott Franklin – Republican (Okeechobee County in District 18):

“Twenty-five years ago, our nation was forever changed when nearly 3,000 innocent Americans were murdered in the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Today, we remember every life taken too soon, honor the extraordinary courage of the first responders, service members and ordinary Americans who answered evil with bravery and stand with the families who have carried this loss for a quarter century.

As we mark this solemn anniversary, our responsibility remains the same: honor their memory, remember the strength and unity our nation showed in the days that followed and ensure future generations understand the significance of September 11, 2001.”

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