Trump Makes Surprise Visit to NYPD & FDNY on 9/11 Anniversary [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Former President Donald Trump was in New York City on Saturday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
• Trump didn’t attend any formal ceremonies, but he did stop by the 17th police precinct in Midtown and a neighboring fire station.
• When asked if he is running in 2024, Trump did not directly answer the question but told NYPD officers, “I think you’re going to be happy.”

Former President Donald Trump made a surprise visit to the New York Police Department’s 17th precinct on Saturday, which marked the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Speaking before police officers, Trump began by calling the anniversary “a very sad day for a lot of reasons,” before he took aim at President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Trump addressed those in attendance, “I grew up with you, and you are New York’s finest. You’re incredible people. And I know many of you.”

When he was asked if he has plans to run again in the 2024 presidential election, he said it’s a tough question, then said: “Actually, for me, it’s an easy question.”

“I know what I’m going to do, but we’re not supposed to be talking about it yet, from the standpoint of campaign finance laws, which frankly are ridiculous,” Trump continued, later stating, “but I think you’re going to be happy, let me put it that way. I think you’re going to be very happy.”

In a later visit to an FDNY ladder house, which was seen in video obtained by Jack Posobiec, Trump thanked police officers.

“We love the blue,” he said. “I’ll say it loud. You know, you’re not supposed to say it, but we love the blue.”

Meanwhile, Biden was joined by former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton in New York City to mark the 9/11 terrorist attacks at Ground Zero.

George W. Bush, who was president at the time of the attacks in 2001, visited the memorial site for the United Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where he delivered remarks.

Trump did not attend either event, though Lee Cochran — a spokeswoman for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum — told The New York Times that the former president was invited to the New York-based ceremony, but opted to not go.

Though he did not attend any of the official events like those who came before and after him as president did, Trump did release a pre-recorded statement to commemorate two decades since the horrific event in American history. He thanked service members and first responders, before transitioning to another critique of President Biden.

“The leader of our country was made to look like a fool and that can never be made to happen,” he said, referring once more to the recent removal of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. “It was caused by bad planning, incredible weakness and leaders who truly didn’t understand what was happening.”

Source: People