New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has emphasized that this year's 9/11 memorial service should focus on remembrance rather than political discourse. This will be Mamdani's first 9/11 memorial service as mayor, and he views the occasion as an "enormous responsibility" during a somber time. He stressed that the day should honor those who were killed, their families, and the lives that have been affected by the 2001 attacks. Mamdani also mentioned that the 25th anniversary of the attacks, on September 11, 2026, should be a day of solemn remembrance of those who died, bringing New Yorkers together in love and respect for the city they sought to protect. He believes it is important not only to remember the past but also to live up to the courage shown on that day. There have been calls for the release of documents related to the 9/11 attacks, and Mamdani said that if such documents can be made public, they should be. The fiscal year 2027 city budget includes $34.2 million to create a public online portal for 9/11-related documents. Mamdani explained that the portal would allow users to search for documents using keywords and access them, addressing the frustration of people who believe there is more to learn about the events of that day. On September 11, 2001, the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) and the New York Police Department (NYPD) faced significant communication problems. Mamdani stated that emergency services personnel deserve the best equipment and that coordination at federal, state, and local levels is necessary. He said the least they can do for those who run toward danger is to ensure they have the best possible tools to protect the public. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, then-NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly established an anti-terrorism program that included informants in places like mosques. When asked if he would support expanding surveillance activities if the NYPD deemed it necessary to prevent an attack, Mamdani said he firmly believes the city can be kept safe while respecting the rights of its people. He criticized past efforts to label individuals as suspicious based on their religion or faith and praised the NYPD for respecting those rights and maintaining public safety. Mamdani acknowledged that New York City remains the top terror target in the United States. If there was credible information about an upcoming attack, he said the first step would be to meet with the police commissioner and other top officials to assess the threat and take action to prevent it from occurring while ensuring the safety of New Yorkers.