Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called Monday for “full transparency” about the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks after speaking with grieving families who lost loved ones in the atrocity.
DeSantis’ demand that the Biden administration declassify any and all outstanding classified documents on the attack is also an indirect shot at former President Donald Trump, whose ties to Saudi-backed LIV Golf have drawn the 9/11 family.
“We as a country still owe full transparency and accountability to this grieving family. But too many politicians have broken their past promises, and that is completely unacceptable,” DeSantis said in a statement after attending a memorial service in Lower Manhattan.
DeSantis also urged Biden to rescind plea deals being considered for accused terrorists – including alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed – and to ask Congress to pass legislation making it easier for Americans to sue foreign state sponsors of terrorism.
Ron DeSantis poses with members of the New York Fire Department. DeSantis Campaign
Ron DeSantis prays during a moment of silence during a ceremony commemorating the 22nd anniversary of 9/11.AP
“I hope from what I’ve seen, unlike other politicians we’ve dealt with, that he’s different,” Peter Brady, who met DeSantis at the 9/11 Memorial, told The Post.
Brady lost his father Michael, who worked on the 90th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
DeSantis spent most of Monday morning walking through the memorial and engaging with each family there, recounting how the attack inspired him to join the military.
Ron and Casey DeSantis are seen observing the anniversary of the attack in New York City.Paul Martinka
“It’s refreshing,” Brady added of DeSantis. “I’ve been to this memorial a few times, and the politicians are usually in the bound area – they stay there and they don’t stay all the way through the memorial.”
In 2021, Biden signed an executive order directing the government to disclose additional information about the attack. Although the FBI released some documents, much of the important material remains unshared, according to victims’ family groups.
Fifteen of the 19 hijackers who flew the planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pa. is a Saudi citizen. That fact, along with Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden’s status as a scion of a wealthy and politically connected Saudi family, has fueled suspicions about the Riyadh government — officially the US’s main partner in the Middle East.
Florida’s governor greets first responders at a memorial service.AFP via Getty Images
Ron and Casey DeSantis pose with Chris Ganci during the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. DeSantis campaign
Family members who lost loved ones on 9/11 have also slammed Trump in the past for hosting LIV events at his courses in Bedminster, NJ and outside Washington DC.
Chris Ganci, who also met DeSantis at the memorial, agreed with Brady that the governor looked “different.”
“I have shaken hands with many politicians. Politicians say certain things and then they do other things,” Ganci told The Post. “He is much more genuine. I had a good feeling talking to him.”
Peter Ganci, Chris’s father, was the Chief of the FDNY Department and one of the 343 members of New York’s Bravest who died that day.
Ron DeSantis shook hands, patted on the back by members of the New York Fire Department. DeSantis campaign
Ron DeSantis is the 2024 GOP contender with the second-highest votes in the race.Getty Images
Ganci, who has family in Florida and rarely goes to Ground Zero on the anniversary of the attack, insisted that the meeting with DeSantis did not feel very political.
“He is very generous. first woman [Casey DeSantis] very generous He listened as we talked. We walk and we talk. He is actually a genuine person,” said Ganci. “It’s refreshing.”
DeSantis’ potential rival in 2024, President Biden, was not at Ground Zero Monday, opting to send Vice President Kamala Harris instead as she stopped in Alaska to deliver a speech after trips to India and Vietnam.
VP Harris arrived at the event, along with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, not far from DeSantis who spoke with family members of 9/11 victims. pic.twitter.com/kjZf3ATwVL
— aaron navarro (@aaronlarnavarro) September 11, 2023
“[Biden]In Alaska, the furthest place he is from this 9/11 family,” Brady lamented. “Today in particular, he should be at one of the crash sites.”
In May, DeSantis hosted family members of 9/11 at the Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee.
He has also signed legislation designating September 11 “9/11 Heroes Day” and mandating that Florida students be taught about the tragedy.
Ron DeSantis also emphasized that he views 9/11 as “in part an immigration issue.” Reuters
“The pain of 9/11 endures for this family and all of us who remember that day, and its history must be taught for future generations,” DeSantis said Monday.
“Our work is not done until we have fully disclosed all the details of the attack, and those responsible are held accountable. I will not rest until both are fully accomplished. We Must Not Forget.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
