This Week With Gosar

Weekly Newsletter

September 13, 2026

Twenty-Five Years Later, We Must Never Forget

Twenty-five years ago, America awoke to a day that changed our nation forever.

On September 11, 2001, 19 radical Islamic terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes and turned them into weapons of mass murder, killing nearly 3,000 innocent people. They attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, while the brave passengers of Flight 93 fought back and prevented the terrorists from reaching their intended target.

But 9/11 is not only a story of unimaginable evil. It is also a story of extraordinary American courage.

Firefighters ran into burning buildings while others were running out. Police officers rushed toward danger. First responders, medical personnel and ordinary citizens did whatever they could to save their fellow Americans. On Flight 93, passengers understood that their lives were likely lost-but they chose to fight back anyway. Let's Roll.

The following morning, the political arguments that had consumed us suddenly seemed insignificant. American flags appeared everywhere. People lined up to donate blood. Neighbors helped neighbors. Americans prayed together, mourned together and stood together.

Twenty-five years later, we need to remember that lesson-but we also need to remember why 9/11 happened in the first place.

"Never Forget" cannot become an empty slogan repeated once a year at a podium.

It is a responsibility.

It means remembering the evil that attacked our country. It means refusing to sanitize or excuse terrorism. It means supporting the men and women in law enforcement who are charged with protecting us. It means securing our borders and ensuring federal authorities have the ability to identify, detain and deport dangerous individuals who have no business being in our country.

That is why I cannot look at today's immigration debate as merely another political disagreement.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Governor Kathy Hochul have openly embraced New York City's sanctuary policies and have defended limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

I fundamentally disagree with that approach.

We learned a terrible lesson on 9/11 about what can happen when government fails to connect the dots and confront threats before they become catastrophes. This week, the CIA released never-before-seen classified information to Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush about al Qaeda's plans to commit terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. Information, if taken seriously, may have prevented the attacks. We should not voluntarily create additional obstacles for the very federal agencies responsible for preventing another attack.

Leader of the Democrat party, Hasan Piker, disgustingly claimed that Americans deserved 9/11 and boasts about his hatred for America. Abdul El-Sayed, the Democrat candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan actively campaigns with Piker and refused to condemn the hateful rhetoric.

Dismissively, Minnesota Democrat Representative Ilhan Omar callously referred to the September 11 terrorist attacks as "some people did something."

And when a solemn memorial service is taking place, the conduct of our elected officials matters. Americans watched footage this week of Mamdani and New York Democrat Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spotted laughing as the names of 9/11 victims were being read. Twenty-five years after the attacks, no one should be celebrating, and we should not have to explain why a memorial for nearly 3,000 murdered Americans demands absolute seriousness.

There is nothing compassionate or funny about putting Americans at greater risk. There is nothing humane about allowing political ideology to interfere with legitimate federal immigration enforcement. And there is nothing patriotic about appeasing people or movements that hate our country, excusing terrorism or forgetting the ideology that motivated the worst terrorist attack ever carried out on American soil.

We can debate immigration. We can debate the size of government. We can debate taxes, spending and foreign policy. That is what a free country does. But there are some things that should never be partisan. Protecting Americans should not be partisan. Honoring our fallen heroes should not be partisan. Supporting law enforcement should not be partisan. And confronting terrorism should never require an apology.

The men and women who entered those burning buildings on 9/11 did not stop to ask whether the people they were saving were Republicans or Democrats.

They saw Americans in danger-and they acted.

That is the America we remember. We honor. We remain vigilant. And we will never forget.

Honoring 9/11 in Lake Havasu City

I was honored to join the Lake Havasu City community Friday morning at London Bridge Beach for the 25th anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony.

It was a powerful gathering of local families, veterans, students, first responders and community leaders-all coming together at the flagpoles to honor those we lost and those who answered the call 25 years ago.

The ceremony featured moving performances from Our Lady of the Lake and Thunderbolt Middle School students, a wreath presentation by the Lake Havasu City Military Moms, a flag ceremony by local veterans, and a three-volley salute from the Marine Corps League and VFW honor guards. The playing of "Taps" brought a quiet and fitting conclusion to the morning.

Events like this are especially important because they ensure the memories and lessons of 9/11 are passed on to a generation that did not experience that day firsthand.

Thank you to the 9/11 Memorial Committee and the Lake Havasu City community for keeping the memory alive.

Twenty-five years later, Havasu remembers!

Remembering Charlie Kirk

One year ago today, my friend Charlie Kirk was senselessly murdered by an indoctrinated and hate-filled leftist.

I knew Charlie. I saw his courage up close. He had something that has become increasingly rare in America: the willingness to stand in front of people who hated his ideas and tell them, "Let's talk."

He went onto college campuses where conservatives were routinely mocked, shouted down and intimidated. He sat under a tent and took question after question. He didn't hide behind a teleprompter. He didn't demand that everyone agree with him. He debated.

And he did it because he believed the truth could withstand a challenge. That is what made Charlie so dangerous to the people who cannot tolerate disagreement.

Charlie proved that young Americans could still think for themselves. He refused to accept that our children needed to be indoctrinated rather than challenged. He gave them something far more powerful than a slogan: the confidence to ask questions, examine the facts and reach their own conclusions.

And for that, someone decided that a bullet was preferable to a debate.

We should be absolutely clear about this: political violence is not activism and there is no place for it in our society. Pulling a trigger because you cannot defeat someone's ideas is neither dissent nor courage. It is cowardice.

We cannot allow a culture that dehumanizes political opponents by labeling them as evil, dangerous, nazis, racists, or somehow beyond redemption to pretend it bears no responsibility when rhetoric crosses the line into violence.

Charlie understood that America's great strength was not that we always agree. It was that we are free to disagree.

I miss my friend. I miss his willingness to take on anyone, anywhere, and his absolute refusal to back down. They may have taken Charlie's life, but they did not take his voice or his ideas.

One year later, I remember my friend Charlie Kirk with a promise: I will keep talking and we will never be intimidated into silence.

Rest in peace, Charlie. We miss you every day.

A Heartbreaking Loss in Lake Havasu City

My heart goes out to the families who lost their homes and beloved pets in the devastating apartment fire on Sandwood Drive in Lake Havasu City.

While we are grateful that all residents were able to escape safely, the loss of beloved pets is heartbreaking. They are family, and their loss is deeply felt.

I also want to thank the brave men and women of the Lake Havasu City Fire Department. Administration and the neighboring crews who rushed toward danger to protect others. One firefighter was injured battling the blaze, and I pray for a full and speedy recovery.

In moments like this, we are reminded of the courage of our first responders and the strength of the Arizona communities they serve. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy.

More District Highlights: A Busy Week Across the District

It was another busy week out in the district, with stops in Lake Havasu City and Colorado City highlighting some of the people and organizations that make our communities so special.

In Lake Havasu City, in addition to attending the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony (see previous story), I also attended a Veterans Treatment Court proceeding and saw firsthand a program that gives veterans who have fallen on difficult times an opportunity to get back on their feet. The court focuses on treatment, recovery, employment, housing and successful reintegration into the community-and its results speak for themselves. I'm grateful to everyone working to ensure that those who served our nation are not forgotten when they need help themselves.

I also toured the Clothes Closet, where Christine and her incredible team and volunteers are providing practical help to neighbors who need it most. So far this year, they have assisted roughly 300 community members, including 19 veterans in crisis. Their work goes far beyond providing clothing, offering meals, counseling, showers, a cooling station and laundry facilities while helping people regain stability and independence. It was inspiring to see this kind of compassionate, hands-on community service in action.

And in Colorado City, I had the opportunity to attend the Colorado City Municipal Airport Airshow. Events like this are a great reminder of the pride, patriotism and community spirit that runs throughout rural Arizona. It was a terrific gathering and a great way to spend time with folks from across the area.

Another busy week spent meeting the people who make Arizona's Ninth Congressional District such a great place to call home.

And Finally… FOOTBALL IS BACK!

The NFL season is here, which means Sundays are officially reserved for football, cold drinks and arguing with your television!

This Sunday, our beloved Arizona Cardinals head to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers in the season opener. After a long offseason, it's time to see what the new season has in store.

As for me, I'll be proudly pulling for the Cardinals to start the season with a big win! After all, their home turf-State Farm Stadium in Glendale-is right here in Arizona's Ninth Congressional District. Let's kick those Chargers' butts and start the year 1-0. Go Cardinals!



Tweet of the Week:

Photo of the Week:

Patrick George from Yuma, AZ shares this great photo of a heron living at Little Bear Lake on the White Mountain Apache Reservation.

Do you want the chance for your photograph to be featured as our "Photo of the Week?" If so, send your best shots along with a brief description to [email protected]. Remember to include your name and where you live.

Gosar in the News and Other Must-Read Stories:

12 News: Firefighter injured, several pets dead after apartment fire in Lake Havasu City

KJZZ: ICE detention center in Surprise still paused as environmental review makes slow progress

Gallup: Football Still Top U.S. Sport, Soccer Inching Up

AZ Big Media: Top 10 hottest ZIP codes in Arizona so far in 2026

New York Post: From 9/11 to Luigi and Lindsay, we have lost our moral clarity

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