Widow Blasts U.S. Leaders at Ground Zero

A 9/11 widow delivered one of the most striking moments of Friday’s 25th anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero, accusing Saudi Arabia of helping create the conditions that led to the attacks and blasting generations of American political leaders for failing victims’ families.

Terry Strada, whose husband Tom Strada was killed in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, received cheers from family members as she demanded greater accountability and directly appealed to Vice President JD Vance, who was seated in the audience.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia fomented a rancid culture of anti-American terrorism around the globe,” Strada said, before alleging that Saudi agents helped support the Islamist hijackers responsible for the attacks.

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly denied allegations that it provided support to the hijackers.

Strada, national chair of 9/11 Families United, then turned her criticism toward the U.S. government, accusing successive administrations of putting relations with Saudi Arabia ahead of the families’ fight for answers.

“For 25 years, administration after administration, including leaders in front of us here today, chose to protect the Saudis instead of standing with the 9/11 families,” she said.

Her emotional remarks came as Americans marked a quarter-century since the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and aboard the four hijacked planes. Vice President Vance attended the ceremony in Lower Manhattan, while President Donald Trump spoke at a separate 9/11 commemoration at the Pentagon.

Strada singled out Trump as someone she believes could still help the families in their long-running legal battle.

“President Trump can still change that,” she said, calling on the administration to challenge Saudi Arabia’s denials.

She then addressed Vance directly.

“Vice President Vance, thank you for being here today. Please carry that message back,” Strada said. “Stand with the families. Stand with the survivors. Stand with Americans.”

Strada has spent decades fighting for transparency following the death of her husband.

Tom Strada, 41, worked for Cantor Fitzgerald and was on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the building.

Just days earlier, he and Terry had brought their third child home from the hospital.

After the plane hit, Tom called his wife and told her he was heading toward the stairwell. He never made it home.

Since then, Terry Strada has become one of the most prominent advocates for 9/11 families seeking additional government records and legal accountability related to Saudi Arabia’s alleged role. Days before the anniversary, she publicly called on Trump to declassify more government documents concerning the kingdom and the attacks.

Thousands of 9/11 victims’ relatives and survivors have sued Saudi Arabia, alleging that Saudi officials provided assistance to members of the al Qaeda hijacking team. The Saudi government denies wrongdoing.

The families’ lawsuit was allowed to continue after a federal judge rejected Saudi Arabia’s effort to have the case dismissed, keeping alive one of the most consequential legal battles stemming from the attacks.

For years after 9/11, families faced major legal obstacles in suing a foreign government because of sovereign immunity protections.

That changed in 2016 when Congress passed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, known as JASTA. The law opened a pathway for Americans to sue foreign governments accused of providing material support for terrorist attacks carried out on U.S. soil.

President Barack Obama vetoed the measure, warning at the time that it could have far-reaching consequences for sovereign immunity. Congress overwhelmingly overrode the veto, and the legislation became law.

The families filed their case against Saudi Arabia the following year.

Twenty-five years after the attacks, Strada made clear at Ground Zero that for many victims’ relatives, the fight is still far from over.

Her remarks added a sharp political and legal edge to an otherwise solemn anniversary centered on remembering the dead, honoring survivors and recognizing the lasting impact of the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.