US President Donald Trump chose to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, rather than attending a major memorial event at Ground Zero in New York City. The decision sparked some criticism, as many expected the president to join the larger commemoration in New York. Instead, Trump participated in a more subdued ceremony honoring the 184 people who died when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. The White House did not specify a reason for the shift in plans, but it comes amid ongoing political debate and scrutiny of the President. Vice President Mike Pence attended the ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center site in New York. The distinction in attendance has been widely noted by media outlets and political commentators.