January 1, BETRAYAL: Port Authority Heroes Issue Stunning Demand to Democrat Officials

Wyatt’s Take

• Retired Port Authority police officers who lost 37 brothers and sisters on 9/11 are publicly demanding two top New York Democrats stay away from Ground Zero’s 25th anniversary ceremony
• The group says NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul have disrespected the sacred site and would inflict ‘deep pain’ on families, survivors, and first responders if they attend
• A petition to bar Mamdani from the ceremony has already gathered over 95,000 signatures, led by a widower whose wife died in the attacks

Retired Port Authority police officers are drawing a line in the sand. They’re demanding that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul skip Ground Zero’s 25th anniversary 9/11 commemoration. According to these retired heroes, their attendance would inflict “deep pain” on victims’ families, survivors and first responders.

In separate letters dated August 14, John McDevitt, president of the Port Authority Retired Police Association, urged the two Democrats not to attend the September 11 ceremony at the site of the deadliest terror attack in U.S. history.

“For us, September 11 is not a political occasion, a photo opportunity, or a platform for public officials,” McDevitt wrote to Mamdani.

“It is a solemn day of remembrance for those who were murdered, those who responded, those who survived, and the families who have carried these losses for twenty-five years.”

The group said the World Trade Center was “our home.” Thirty-seven Port Authority police officers and 47 other members of the Port Authority family were killed in the 2001 attacks.

“Thirty-seven of our brothers and sisters made the ultimate sacrifice,” McDevitt wrote.

“Their memorial should not become the center of political controversy.”

The letter said the retired officers have “profound concerns” about Mamdani’s public statements, political associations and positions. They believe these are inconsistent with the sacrifice of victims and law enforcement officers.

“We believe your presence at Ground Zero on this 25th anniversary would cause deep pain to many members of the 9/11 community,” McDevitt wrote.

“It also risks shifting attention away from the people whose lives, courage, and sacrifice the ceremony exists to honor.”

McDevitt suggested Mamdani could instead recognize the anniversary through a written statement, public message or a separate event.

“This is our day to remember,” he wrote.

“Please allow us to remember in peace.”

The association struck a similarly blistering tone in its letter to Hochul. They took issue with her decision to illuminate One World Trade Center for Muslim American Heritage Month.

The retired officers said they did not object to Hochul’s proclamation itself. Their problem was with the decision to use the World Trade Center and Ground Zero for the observance.

“We believe that political pandering played a role in a decision that showed such disregard for the significance of this sacred site,” McDevitt wrote.

The association called the decision “insensitive, tone-deaf, and an affront” to those who served at the World Trade Center, victims’ families, survivors and first responders.

“Because of that decision, we believe that you have forfeited your right to stand alongside us at Ground Zero on the 25th anniversary,” McDevitt wrote to Hochul.

Hochul’s office pushed back on the retired officers’ demand in a statement. The governor “has enormous respect for all the families who lost loved ones on 9/11” and will “proudly stand alongside them at this year’s commemoration,” a spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that Muslim New Yorkers “served as first responders and helped unite the city in the aftermath of 9/11.”

The statement continued: “The Governor knows we can respect these families while being clear that Islamophobia has no place in New York.”

Mamdani previously said he plans to attend the commemoration and “proudly honor” the families, survivors and first responders forever affected by the terror attack.

The retired officers’ demand comes as a petition asking organizers to bar Mamdani from the ceremony has drawn more than 95,000 signatures. The petition was launched in July by Giovanni Galante, whose wife, Grace Catherine Galante, was killed in the September 11 attacks.

“Speaking as the husband of Grace Catherine Galante, we are taking measures to shield our loved ones by barring anyone who opposes our way of life from the ceremony,” Galante wrote on the petition page.

Former Jill Biden spokesman Michael LaRosa, who also served as a special assistant to former President Joe Biden, signed the petition. He warned that Mamdani’s presence would be a “lightning rod” that diverts attention from victims and their loved ones.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum previously stated that it keeps the annual commemoration free of politics. Government officials who attend do not deliver remarks and are asked to remain in a designated area, a spokesperson said.

Wyatt Matters

When the men and women who ran toward the flames on 9/11 tell you to stay away from their sacred ground, maybe it’s time to listen. These aren’t keyboard warriors or political operatives. These are the people who lost friends, partners, and colleagues that day—and they’re saying loud and clear that some politicians have crossed a line. When you turn a memorial into a political stage, you dishonor the dead. Simple as that.