In September 2016, I participated in a radio talk show discussion marking the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. One panelist — a political independent who strongly opposed Donald Trump — asked why the anniversary seemed to receive less attention than in previous years. My response at the time was that heightened remembrance of 9/11 carried political implications that benefited Trump, and that the mainstream media appeared reluctant to emphasize it during a heated election season.Today, a different narrative has emerged. Some commentators now argue that New York City itself has “forgotten” Sept. 11 by electing Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Whether or not that claim is fair, the broader concern deserves examination: if New York becomes less welcoming or less accessible
