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

New York City skyline at night with memorial lights.

Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to illuminate One World Trade Center in green light for Muslim American Heritage Month has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with critics calling it a tone-deaf insult to the memory of nearly 3,000 Americans killed by Islamic terrorists on that very site.

Story Overview

Hochul ordered 16 state landmarks, including One World Trade Center, lit green on January 2, 2026, for Muslim American Heritage Month
Conservative critics labeled the decision “disgusting” and disrespectful to 9/11 victims killed by al Qaeda terrorists
The lighting coincided with Zohran Mamdani’s swearing-in as NYC’s first Muslim mayor on January 1, 2026
Muslim leaders praised the gesture as affirming resilience and contributions following 9/11

Sacred Ground Under Green Light

One World Trade Center stands as more than just another state landmark. Built on the exact site where Islamic extremists murdered 2,977 innocent Americans on September 11, 2001, the tower serves as both memorial and symbol of American resilience. When Governor Hochul directed that this sacred ground be bathed in green light to celebrate Muslim American Heritage Month, she crossed a line that many Americans consider inviolable.

The timing couldn’t have been more provocative. Just one day after Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City’s first Muslim mayor, using a Quran for the ceremony, Hochul issued her proclamation. Critics see this as a coordinated political statement that prioritizes progressive symbolism over respect for America’s deadliest terrorist attack.

The Backlash Builds Momentum

Queens Republican Councilwoman Vickie Paladino didn’t mince words when she called the decision “disgusting” on social media. Her sentiment echoed across conservative platforms, where users expressed outrage that the site of America’s worst terrorist attack would be used to celebrate the same religion embraced by the attackers. The controversy exploded across social media, with posts condemning what many saw as an unforgivable breach of decorum.

The criticism extends beyond mere symbolism. Representative Elise Stefanik has previously raised concerns about Qatar-funded curricula infiltrating New York schools, and this latest move by Hochul fits into a broader pattern of what conservatives view as dangerous foreign influence in American institutions. The governor’s decision appears to validate these fears about prioritizing political correctness over national security sensitivities.

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

Political Calculations vs. Sacred Memory

Hochul’s defenders frame the lighting as routine heritage month recognition in a state home to America’s largest Muslim population. They point to Muslims’ contributions across professions and emphasize the need to combat Islamophobia. Mohammad Razvi, CEO of the Council of Peoples Organization, praised the gesture as recognizing “resilience following 9/11” and promoting interfaith solidarity.

Yet this defense misses the fundamental point that critics raise: timing and location matter. While heritage months deserve recognition, choosing to illuminate the site where Islamic terrorists committed mass murder sends a message that many Americans find deeply offensive. The governor’s proclamation about celebrating diversity and protecting Muslims from Islamophobia, while admirable in intent, rings hollow when delivered at ground zero of Islamic extremism’s deadliest assault on American soil.