9/11 widow blasts Saudi Arabia in annual ceremony

Avery Lotz

Former President Biden, former first lady Laura Bush, Former President George W. Bush, Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Vice President JD Vance stand in a line in a crowd commemorating the 9/11 attacks. All of the men are wearing suits. — (L-R) Former President Biden, former first lady Laura Bush, Former President George W. Bush, Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Vice President JD Vance and others stand during a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

A widow of a 9/11 victim used the annual reading of the names of those killed to plead with the Trump administration about Saudi Arabian officials' alleged ties to the terror attack, which the kingdom has dismissed.

The big picture: During the New York City ceremony for 9/11's 25th anniversary, Terry Strada slammed Saudi Arabia, which Axios' Barak Ravid reports is actively urging President Trump to assist them with U.S. military action.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and Trump have maintained a close relationship, while 9/11 families have expressed discomfort over U.S. officials' past engagement with Saudi Arabia.

Driving the news: "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," Strada said during the ceremony.

Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

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9/11 widow blasts Saudi Arabia in annual ceremony

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