Woke Governor Just Insulted the Memory of Those Killed on 9/11

New York City skyline at night with memorial lights.

Governor Kathy Hochul sparked nationwide outrage by ordering One World Trade Center—built on the sacred ground where nearly 3,000 Americans died in the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history—to be illuminated green for Muslim American Heritage Month.

Story Highlights

Hochul directed 16 state landmarks, including One World Trade Center, to be lit green on January 2, 2026, for Muslim American Heritage Month
Critics called the decision “tone deaf” and “disgusting,” arguing it disrespects victims killed by Islamic extremist terrorists
The controversy erupted just one day after Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as NYC’s first Muslim mayor using the Quran
Conservative voices and social media users framed the lighting as politically insensitive symbolism at a 9/11 memorial site

Sacred Ground Becomes Political Statement

One World Trade Center stands as more than just a skyscraper—it rises from the hallowed ground where al Qaeda terrorists murdered 2,977 innocent Americans on September 11, 2001. The 1,776-foot tower serves as both memorial and symbol of American resilience. Hochul’s January 2nd proclamation declaring Muslim American Heritage Month directed this sacred site, along with 15 other state landmarks, to glow green in recognition of Muslim American culture and contributions.

The timing couldn’t have been more provocative. Just 24 hours earlier, Zohran Mamdani had taken the oath of office as New York City’s first Muslim mayor, placing his hand on the Quran. Conservative critics immediately connected these events, viewing them as a coordinated effort to advance a political agenda at the expense of 9/11 victims’ memory.

Backlash Erupts Across Conservative Media

By January 3rd, conservative social media exploded with condemnation. Queens Republican Councilwoman Vickie Paladino led the charge, posting on X that “It’s disgusting that the Freedom Tower… be lit green.” Her sentiment echoed across conservative platforms, with users labeling Hochul’s decision as an insult to those who perished when Islamic extremists flew hijacked planes into the original World Trade Center towers.

Kathy Hochul Just Insulted the Memory of Those Killed on 9/11 https://t.co/QvB2LoBd5E After 9/11, Americans promised to “never forget.” It wasn’t just a slogan. It was a vow born out of the smoke and heartbreak that defined a generation. But a quarter-century later, it’s hard…

— JulietteSchwartz (@Juliett59778255) January 4, 2026

The controversy tapped into deeper concerns about political correctness overriding common sense. Critics argued that while heritage months deserve recognition, choosing the site where Islamist terrorists committed mass murder demonstrated stunning tone-deafness. Fox News attempted to reach 9/11 victim advocacy groups for comment but received no immediate response, leaving the families’ perspectives unknown as the political firestorm raged.

Political Calculations Behind the Controversy

Hochul’s proclamation wasn’t made in a vacuum. New York houses the nation’s largest Muslim population, with one in eight residents identifying as Muslim American. These voters contribute significantly to the state’s economy, representing 12.5% of pharmacists, 40% of taxi drivers, and 57% of street vendors. The governor clearly calculated that recognizing this constituency would strengthen her political coalition while promoting her anti-hate crime messaging.

The decision also follows Hochul’s October 2025 condemnation of Andrew Cuomo’s radio comments suggesting rival Mamdani would “cheer” a hypothetical 9/11 attack. Hochul labeled Cuomo’s remarks “fear-mongering, hate speech, and Islamophobia” on social media. Her latest proclamation appears designed to reinforce her inclusive messaging, but critics see political pandering that crosses sacred boundaries.