WATCH: Mamdani Gifts Ceremonial 9/11 Pen to Lawyer Who Represented al-Qaeda Operative Tied to Pentagon Hijacker

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani presented a ceremonial pen used for signing 9/11 executive orders to his Chief Counsel, Ramzi Kassem. Kassem is noted for having previously represented an al-Qaeda operative convicted in a 2002 bombing. This action has been met with significant backlash from 9/11 victim families and former officials who deem it insensitive and disrespectful to the memory of the victims.

• Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed 9/11 executive orders and gifted the ceremonial pen to Chief Counsel Ramzi Kassem.
• Ramzi Kassem has represented an al-Qaeda operative convicted in a 2002 bombing and is the brother-in-law of a 9/11 hijacker.
• 9/11 families, former officials, and council members have criticized the gesture as disrespectful and calculated.
• Critics argue the act highlights a perceived disconnect in Mamdani’s loyalties and trivializes the 9/11 remembrance event.
• Mamdani intends to attend the 25th anniversary ceremony despite previous petitions to keep him away.