New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing backlash following a ceremonial gesture during the signing of executive orders ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Mamdani presented the symbolic signing pen to Chief Counsel Ramzi Kassem, a lawyer who previously represented Ahmed al-Darbi, a convicted al Qaeda member whose brother-in-law was a hijacker aboard the plane that struck the Pentagon.
The incident occurred after Mamdani signed orders designating September 11 as a citywide day of remembrance and service, as well as measures to strengthen counterterrorism efforts. According to City Hall, Kassem received the pen because he and his team drafted the executive orders in their official capacity. However, the choice of recipient has sparked significant debate regarding the appropriateness of honoring a former defense attorney for a terrorism-related case during a solemn memorial event.
What the Right Is Saying
Critics on the right have condemned the gesture as insensitive and disrespectful to 9/11 victims and first responders. Podcaster Benny Johnson wrote on X, "This is a slap in the face to victims ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11."
Former New York state Senate candidate Maria Danzilo stated, "I sincerely hope the rest of the country understands just how hard it is to be in New York City with this mayor, and especially as we’re approaching this most serious and solemn day for NYC: 9/11."
Other social media users described the action as a "deliberate gesture" that "undermines 9/11 yet again with impunity," arguing that Kassem’s role as a defense lawyer for an al Qaeda-linked figure distracted from the event's purpose of honoring those killed in the attacks.
What the Left Is Saying
Supporters and City Hall officials emphasize that the gesture was procedural and professional. A City Hall spokesperson told the New York Post that Kassem attended the ceremony solely because he was responsible for drafting the executive orders. They argue that recognizing the legal staff who helped formulate policy is a standard administrative act.
Kassem’s background includes founding a CUNY legal clinic that provides free representation to Muslims and representing Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist detained by ICE. From this perspective, his presence reflects a commitment to civil liberties and legal representation, which some view as integral to the city's values, even if the timing of the pen presentation drew scrutiny.
What the Numbers Show
The controversy centers on the connection between Ramzi Kassem and Ahmed al-Darbi. Al-Darbi pleaded guilty to war-crime charges related to al Qaeda plots, including the 2002 bombing of a French oil tanker off the coast of Yemen. Al-Darbi’s sister was married to Khalid al-Mihdhar, one of the hijackers aboard American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, killing 184 people.
The executive orders signed by Mamdani designate September 11 as a day of remembrance and service in New York City. This marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks. Mamdani's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment regarding the specific rationale for selecting Kassem for the ceremonial pen.
The Bottom Line
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between administrative procedures and public symbolism in political leadership. While City Hall maintains that the pen presentation was a recognition of legal work, critics view it as a failure to prioritize the sensitivities of the 9/11 anniversary. The story serves as a case study in how symbolic gestures by public officials are interpreted through political lenses, with no indication yet of any official response from Mayor Mamdani beyond the initial statement from City Hall.