At the Pentagon 25 years after 9/11, Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that evil “did not get the last word,” honoring the fallen and calling Americans to vigilance.
Story Highlights
- Secretary Pete Hegseth led the Pentagon’s 25th-anniversary 9/11 observance and honored families and survivors.
- He marked the 184 Americans murdered at the Pentagon and the nearly 3,000 killed nationwide on Sept. 11, 2001.
- He urged continued vigilance against Islamist terrorism and framed remembrance as duty and resolve.
- President Trump and senior military leaders joined the ceremony, underscoring its official weight.
Hegseth Leads Solemn Pentagon Remembrance
Secretary Pete Hegseth opened the Pentagon ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. He welcomed families, survivors, and guests, and pledged that America will never forget their loss. He honored those present and those who could not attend, focusing the room on duty, service, and sacrifice. Event listings and videos show Hegseth served as the principal speaker for the observance at the Pentagon, reflecting the gravity and official standing of the moment.
Hegseth identified the terror strike on the Pentagon in clear terms. He stated that 184 Americans were murdered there by Islamist terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001. He also placed the attack within the larger national tragedy, noting that nearly 3,000 Americans were killed that day across the country. These figures match the historical record often cited at prior Pentagon observances and anchor his remarks in shared memory and fact for the families who still carry the pain.
‘Evil Did Not Get the Last Word’ — A Message of Resolve
Hegseth framed the day as remembrance with a mission. He said the right response to terror is vigilance and strength, not retreat. He tied remembrance to action: protect the homeland, defend freedom, and honor the fallen by standing firm. Coverage of his full speech shows he warned about ongoing threats from Islamist movements and stressed sending a clear message to terrorists worldwide. He linked memory with resolve so that the country stays ready and united in purpose.
That balance — mourning and meaning — mirrors a tradition at Pentagon ceremonies over two decades. Presidents and defense leaders of both parties have used this setting to honor the dead and reaffirm the duty to protect the nation. They have repeated core themes: never forget, guard against threats, and support the men and women who serve. Hegseth stayed squarely in that tradition while speaking to current dangers and the need for strong leadership and a focused mission.
Presence of National Leaders Underscores Weight of the Day
The ceremony drew top leaders, including President Donald J. Trump and senior military officers, which underscored the official and national character of the observance. Full-event coverage shows the program centered on remembrance, prayer, and honor for the fallen and their families. The Pentagon remains both a memorial site and a symbol of American strength, so the gathering sent a message: the nation remembers, and its leaders stand with the families who lost so much that day.
President Trump, in his 9/11 ceremony speech at the Pentagon, declares: "We salute the service members working right now to ensure the world's number one sponsor of terror, the Islamic Republic of Iran, will never ever have a nuclear weapon." https://t.co/i4hUHUVOxr pic.twitter.com/DW0EhhVlsO
— KolHaolam (@KolHaolam) September 11, 2026
Hegseth also spoke directly to those who served and those still serving. He recognized their burden since 9/11 and said service members defend the liberties terrorists tried to crush. He tied that service to constitutional duty and the basic promise to keep Americans safe. He told families the country honors their sacrifice by staying vigilant and winning against those who seek to harm us. That is how, he said, we make sure evil never has the last word.
