Biden "Continuing Pursuit of Those Responsible for the 9/11 Attacks"

U.S. President Joe Biden is attending and delivering a speech at the Pentagon memorial event in Washington, D.C., on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the 11th (local time). (Photo by AP)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] U.S. President Joe Biden stated on the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the 11th (local time), "We will never hesitate to take necessary measures to protect the American people."

According to major foreign media such as The Washington Post (WP), President Biden attended a memorial event held in front of the Department of Defense building near Washington DC and said, "We will continuously monitor and block terrorist activities."

He mentioned the elimination of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of the international terrorist organization al-Qaeda and the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, at the end of July, following Osama bin Laden, and said, "We will never forget or give up," adding, "The American people's resolve to defend ourselves from those who seek to harm us and to bring to justice those responsible for attacking our people has never changed."

He also stated that the U.S. continues to track those responsible for the 9/11 attacks even after leaving Afghanistan.

President Biden emphasized, "The war in Afghanistan is over, but our commitment to preventing other attacks on the United States has no end," and said, "Our intelligence, defense, and counterintelligence experts will continue to remain vigilant against terrorists spreading and evolving into new regions."

He praised the ordinary American citizens who responded in extraordinary and unexpected ways during the 9/11 attacks, saying, "The greatest lesson of 9/11 is national unity."

President Biden said, "Unlike other countries, the United States is based on the value that 'all people are born equal and should be treated equally throughout their lives,'" adding, "While we have not always lived up to this, we have never abandoned this value. This is what makes us strong."

He stated, "We have a duty to defend democracy. Defending democracy once a year or occasionally is not enough; it is something we must do every day," and emphasized, "Today is not only a day to remember the past but also a day for all Americans to renew our commitment to the United States and democracy."

This mention of defending democracy by President Biden is interpreted as being mindful of the November midterm elections.

President Biden has recently emphasized the 'far-right MAGA Republican Party,' symbolized by former President Donald Trump, as a threat to democracy and has urged support for the Democratic Party to protect democracy.

In his speech, President Biden referred to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom sending a message of condolence shortly after the 2001 9/11 attacks, saying, "Grief is the price of love," and remarked, "On days like today, that price feels very heavy."

Meanwhile, before the event, when asked if there is a plan regarding justice for those responsible for the 9/11 attacks who have been held at Guantanamo Bay detention camp for 20 years, President Biden replied, "There is a plan for that."

When asked about Ukraine's counterattack against Russia, he said, "I am aware, but since it is ongoing, I will not comment."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.