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Zohran Mamdani faces backlash over 9/11 ceremonial pen handoff
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing significant backlash following a ceremonial gesture during a 9/11 commemoration event. While signing two executive orders—one designating September 11 as a citywide Day of Remembrance and Service and another updating the city’s emergency preparedness and continuity plans—Mamdani handed a ceremonial pen to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and requested she pass it to his chief counsel, Ramzi Kassem.
Kassem has drawn intense criticism due to his previous legal representation of Ahmed al-Darbi, an al-Qaeda operative convicted of war crimes related to the 2002 bombing of a French oil tanker. Al-Darbi was also the brother-in-law of Khalid al-Mihdhar, one of the hijackers involved in the Pentagon attack.
Victims' families and political figures, including former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, have condemned the move, describing it as disrespectful to the memory of those lost in the attacks. The mayor’s office noted that Kassem and his team were responsible for drafting the executive orders as part of their official duties.
Entities
Ahmed al-Darbi · Jessica Tisch · NYPD · New York City · Ramzi Kassem · Zohran Mamdani
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Mayor Mamdani handed a ceremonial pen to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and asked her to pass it to chief counsel Ramzi Kassem. offthepress.com · trendingpoliticsnews.com · recentlyheard.com · worldisraelnews.com · finchannel.com · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Ramzi Kassem previously represented Ahmed al-Darbi, an al-Qaeda operative convicted of war crimes. offthepress.com · trendingpoliticsnews.com · recentlyheard.com · worldisraelnews.com · finchannel.com · +2 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed two executive orders ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. offthepress.com · trendingpoliticsnews.com · recentlyheard.com · worldisraelnews.com · finchannel.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] A second executive order updates the city’s emergency preparedness and continuity plans. offthepress.com · trendingpoliticsnews.com · recentlyheard.com · worldisraelnews.com · finchannel.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] 9/11 families and relatives of victims have condemned the ceremonial handoff to Kassem. offthepress.com · pulptastic.com · www.lifezette.com · trendingpoliticsnews.com · recentlyheard.com · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Ahmed al-Darbi was the brother-in-law of Khalid al-Mihdhar, a hijacker involved in the Pentagon attack. offthepress.com · trendingpoliticsnews.com · recentlyheard.com · worldisraelnews.com · finchannel.com · +2 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Kassem and his team drafted the executive orders as part of their official duties. trendingpoliticsnews.com · finchannel.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] One executive order designates September 11 as a citywide Day of Remembrance and Service. offthepress.com · trendingpoliticsnews.com · recentlyheard.com · worldisraelnews.com · finchannel.com