Mamdani’s 9/11 Pen Handoff to Kassem Sparks Outrage Ahead of 25th Anniversary

Key points

• Mamdani signed two executive orders on Sept. 5, one modernizing continuity-of-operations planning and another designating Sept. 11 as a citywide Day of Remembrance and Service.
• During the signing, Mamdani handed the ceremonial pen to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who then passed it to chief counsel Ramzi Kassem, who arrived 15 minutes late and exited quickly.
• Kassem previously represented Ahmed al-Darbi, an al-Qaeda operative convicted in the 2002 French oil tanker bombing, whose sister married a 9/11 hijacker.
• A petition opposing Mamdani’s attendance at the Sept. 11 memorial has gathered 98,000 signatures, citing his ties to Hasan Piker and a 2023 post referencing post-9/11 war deaths.
• Former Gov. George Pataki and several 9/11 families called for Mamdani to skip the memorial, while Mamdani stated he plans to attend to honor victims and first responders.

Background

This controversy occurs one week before the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Recent months have seen heightened scrutiny of Mamdani’s administration, including legal battles over teaching aide bonuses and debates over antisemitism following a synagogue attack. The current dispute centers on the appropriateness of his presence at a solemn memorial given his political associations and past statements.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Post and Fox News framed the pen handoff as a deliberate insult to 9/11 victims, emphasizing Kassem’s defense of al-Qaeda figures and Mamdani’s ties to Hasan Piker. City & State New York highlighted the unprecedented demand from former Gov. George Pataki for Mamdani to skip the memorial, noting the petition’s broad but mixed support. amNewYork focused on the policy aspects of Mamdani’s executive orders, describing the new Continuity and Mission Assurance Team and the first citywide Day of Remembrance designation, without addressing the controversy. Critics, including Council Member Joann Ariola and 9/11 family members, called the gesture tone-deaf, while Mamdani’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

Why it matters

The incident highlights deep divisions over how to honor 9/11 victims and the boundaries of political association in public ceremonies. It tests the limits of inclusivity in New York City governance and raises questions about the role of symbolic gestures in political messaging. The controversy also underscores ongoing tensions between Mamdani’s administration and conservative critics, as well as the sensitivity of 9/11 commemorations in a polarized political climate.

What to watch

Mamdani is expected to attend the Sept. 11 memorial, despite the petition and calls from Pataki and 9/11 families. The city will implement the new continuity-of-operations framework and observe the designated Day of Remembrance and Service. Further details on the executive orders’ impact on agency planning are pending, and the controversy may continue to influence public perception of Mamdani’s leadership in the coming weeks.