CPAC Remembers the 9/11 Tragedy: Honoring the Lives Lost at the World Trade Center and Pentagon

"Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America."- President George W. Bush.

On this somber anniversary of September 11, 2001, CPAC pauses to remember the unimaginable horror that unfolded when terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes, transforming them into weapons of mass destruction.

In New York City, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 slammed into the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center, causing the iconic skyscrapers to collapse in a cascade of fire, dust, and debris, claiming the lives of 2,753 people from over 90 nations, including first responders who rushed into the inferno to save others. Simultaneously, American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, killing 184 individuals—125 military and civilian personnel inside the building and 59 aboard the plane—while a fourth hijacked flight, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed in a Pennsylvania field after heroic passengers thwarted the attackers' plans, sparing further devastation but at the cost of all 40 souls on board.

The 9/11 attacks were a culmination of a long-standing alliance between the Islamic Republic of Iran and al-Qaeda, which began in the early 1990s. Through its proxy Hezbollah, Iran provided al-Qaeda with training, explosives, and logistical support, enabling deadly attacks like the 1998 US embassy bombings, the USS Cole attack, and ultimately 9/11. Despite publicly distancing itself from al-Qaeda, Iran offered a haven to its operatives post-9/11 and has since become a base for al-Qaeda’s leadership, supporting the group’s activities in Iraq, Syria, and beyond as part of its strategy to destabilize the region and oppose US interests. This dangerous alliance continues to pose a threat twenty-four years later and needs dismantling.

CPAC remains steadfast in its commitment to combating terrorism and protecting its victims. Through initiatives like the Iranians in Exile Coalition and partnership with United Against Nuclear Iran, CPAC is actively working to counter state-sponsored terrorism, ensuring that the fight for freedom and security continues with unwavering resolve.

These coordinated attacks on 9/11 not only shattered families and skylines but also tested the resilience of America, igniting a global fight against terrorism and inspiring acts of unity, bravery, and compassion that continue to echo through memorials, stories, and the unyielding spirit of survivors and loved ones, reminding us that even in the darkest hours, hope and humanity endure.