Ron DeSantis attended a 9/11 commemoration ceremony at ground zero in New York City on Monday, appearing with more than a dozen people who lost family on Sep. 11
The group, many of whom are members of the grassroots organization 9/11 Justice, which represents other 9/11 families who accuse Saudi Arabia's government of involvement in the attacks -- which the kingdom denies -- led DeSantis and his wife, Casey, to the ceremony, where the couple stood in the back of a crowd while speakers read the names of each victim.The governor, who is seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, spent roughly three hours at ground zero.
The families said they were glad DeSantis released a statement Monday afternoon calling for the declassification of the remaining secret documents related to the planning of the 9/11 attacks, "consistent with national security." "We as a nation still owe full transparency and accountability to these grieving families. Yet too many politicians have broken past promises to them, and that is wholly unacceptable," he said.DeSantis also took issue with a potential plea deal ---- for five detainees accused of aiding the 9/11 attackers. He called for a "public trial" with "public answers and maximum lawful punishment.
Though an FBI report declassified by the Biden administration in 2021 tied the 9/11 hijackers to Saudi nationals, the kingdom's leaders have maintained its government was not involved.