DeSantis Visits 9/11 Families at Ground Zero, Biden in Alaska

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis attended a memorial for victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City today.

"Twenty-two years ago, nineteen terrorists took 2,977 innocent lives in the deadliest attack against America in our history," posted DeSantis. "We will never forget."

It was an honor for @RonDeSantis and me to have been invited to the 9/11 memorial ceremony by families who lost loved ones in the attacks," posted First Lady DeSantis. "22 years later, each name is read, remembered, and honored. You will never be forgotten."

In an exclusive interview with Julia Johnson of the Washington Examiner, DeSantis points to renewed terrorism threat on southern border on 9/11 anniversary.

“There is a good bet that somebody that's come across that [southern] border will commit an act of terrorism," said DeSantis. "9/11 was in part an immigration issue. A lot of these guys should not have been in the country — had overstayed visas and whatnot."

DeSantis has made border security a top priority as Governor of Florida, sending law enforcement teams to the border which have already assisted in over 190 arrests of criminal illegal aliens, including the detention of illegal aliens wanted for capital murder.

On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 al Qaeda-affiliated radical Islamic terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners. They crashed two into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon and another crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers stormed the cockpit of the aircraft. 2,977 people died as a result of the attack, which to date is the largest loss of life on American soil from a foreign attack.

DeSantis told the Examiner why he decided to join the Navy, earning a commission as a JAG officer.

"You put service above self," said DeSantis. "I felt it was my obligation to serve. So I raised my hand."

"This morning, Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis attended the 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York City to honor the 2,977 innocent lives taken by terrorist attacks 22 years ago," said DeSantis Spokesman Jeremy Redfern in a written statement. "The Governor and First Lady were invited to attend by the families of 9/11 victims, and at the event, the Governor and First Lady met with the families who spoke about their lost loved ones."

Redfern said DeSantis opted to not sit in the VIP section with Vice President Kamala Harris and Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

"The Governor and First Lady declined to sit in the VIP section and instead opted to stand with the families and walk around the North and South Pools to view the etched names of the families' loved ones who were killed that day," said Redfern. "Before departing the memorial, the Governor and First Lady also visited the 9/11 Memorial Museum."

President Biden was not in attendance at the New York memorial this morning, but will be at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska today, where he will be speaking with troops, first responders and families. Vice President Kamala Harris attended in his place.

"Today, we remember the 2,977 precious lives stolen from us on 9/11 and reflect on all that was lost in the fire and ash that September morning," posted Biden. "The American story itself changed on this day 22 years ago. But what could not — and will not — change is the character of this nation."