New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani drew sharp criticism on Tuesday after he presented a ceremonial pen from the city’s 9/11 remembrance ceremony to Ramzi Kassem, the mayor’s chief counsel. Kassem previously served as defense counsel for Ahmed al‑Darbi, a convicted al‑Qaeda operative whose brother‑in‑law was one of the hijackers on the flight that struck the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
Backlash on social media
Users on X (formerly Twitter) quickly condemned the gesture, arguing that the pen handoff distracted from an event meant to honor the victims and first‑responders of the September 11 attacks. One commentator wrote, “This is a slap in the face to victims ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11.” Podcaster Benny Johnson echoed the sentiment, calling the act a “deliberate gesture by Mamdani that undermines 9/11 yet again with impunity.”
Mayor’s actions and rationale
Earlier that day, Mamdani signed a series of executive orders designating September 11, 2026, as a citywide day of remembrance and service. The orders also call for strengthened efforts to prevent future terrorist threats. City Hall told the New York Post that Kassem attended the ceremony because he and his legal team drafted the executive orders as part of his duties as chief counsel.
Kassem’s background
Ramzi Kassem’s prior representation of al‑Darbi, who pleaded guilty to war‑crime charges tied to al‑Qaeda plots against commercial shipping, has become the focal point of the controversy. Al‑Darbi’s sister was married to Khalid al‑Mihdhar, one of the hijackers aboard American Airlines Flight 77, the plane that crashed into the Pentagon, killing 184 people.
Beyond the al‑Qaeda case, Kassem founded a CUNY legal clinic that provides free representation to Muslims and has represented Mahmoud Khalil, a leader of a pro‑Palestinian encampment at Columbia University who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Mayor’s office response
When contacted for comment, Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for a statement.
Context for New Yorkers
The 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks is a solemn moment for New York City, a place still marked by the loss of nearly 3,000 lives and the heroism of first responders. City officials have emphasized the importance of remembrance, community service, and renewed vigilance against terrorism.
While the mayor’s decision to honor the victims through official proclamations aligns with those goals, the choice of recipient for the ceremonial pen has raised questions about the optics of involving a lawyer with a controversial defense record in a tribute to the nation’s tragedy.
Public reaction and next steps
Local community leaders and veteran groups have called for a review of the ceremony’s protocol to ensure future events remain focused on honoring the fallen and supporting their families. The controversy underscores the delicate balance city officials must strike between inclusive governance and respecting the sensitivities of a city still healing from the wounds of 9/11.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
