VIDEO: Trump makes surprise visit to FDNY, NYPD members on 9/11

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Former President Donald Trump made surprise visits to members of the FDNY and NYPD in Manhattan on Saturday as the city marked the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Video on social media shows the 45th president at FDNY Engine 8/Ladder 2/Battalion 8 on E. 51st Street on Saturday afternoon.

The firehouse is just blocks away from Trump Tower in Midtown East.

Former President Donald Trump visits the Engine Co. 8 firehouse where he praised first responders' bravery while criticizing President Joe Biden over the pullout from Afghanistan, Saturday Sept. 11, 2021, in New York
Former President Donald Trump visits the Engine Co. 8 firehouse where he praised first responders' bravery while criticizing President Joe Biden over the pullout from Afghanistan, Saturday Sept. 11, 2021, in New York. Photo credit AP Photo/Jill Colvin

Trump also visited the NYPD’s 17th Precinct stationhouse, which is right next door to the firehouse on E. 51st Street, video shows.

Former President Donald Trump, second from right, commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks by visiting the NYPD's 17th police precinct in New York, where he criticized President Biden over the pullout from Afghanistan, Saturday Sept. 11, 2021
Former President Donald Trump, second from right, commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks by visiting the NYPD's 17th police precinct in New York, where he criticized President Biden over the pullout from Afghanistan, Saturday Sept. 11, 2021. Photo credit AP Photo/Jill Colvin

Earlier in the day, Trump released a statement for the 20-year anniversary of 9/11. He said the day “represents great sorrow for our Country” and he commended the bravery of first responders like police and firefighters.

The 45th president also put out a shorter statement praising former Mayor Rudy Giuliani: "Congratulations to Rudy Giuliani (for the 20th time!), the greatest Mayor in the history of New York City, for having shown such leadership and doing such an incredible job during and after the attack on our Nation!"

In his statement, the former president criticized the U.S. withdraw from Afghanistan under President Joe Biden and mentioned the suicide bombing at the Kabul airport that killed 13 U.S. military members and dozens of Afghan civilians in late August.

“The loss of 13 great warriors and the many more who were wounded should never have happened,” Trump said.

The former president told Fox News on Friday that he would be traveling to Manhattan on Saturday. He was not at the commemoration ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial, which President Joe Biden, and former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, attended. Former President George W. Bush made remarks at the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Trump is scheduled to provide ringside boxing commentary later on Saturday in Hollywood, Florida, where former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is fighting former UFC champion Vitor Belfort.

Here is Trump’s full 9/11 statement:

For the great people of our Country, this is very a sad day. September 11th represents great sorrow for our Country. Many things were displayed that day, including most importantly the bravery of our police, fire, and first responders of every kind. The job they did was truly unbelievable. We love them, and we thank them.

It is also a sad time for the way our war on those that did such harm to our Country ended last week. The loss of 13 great warriors and the many more who were wounded should never have happened. Overall, 250 people were killed in Afghanistan last week and so many more were seriously injured. We had $85 billion of the finest and most sophisticated military equipment taken from us without even a shot being fired. The leader of our Country was made to look like a fool and that can never be allowed to happen. It was caused by bad planning, incredible weakness, and leaders who truly didn’t understand what was happening. This is the 20th year of this war and should have been a year of victory, honor, and strength. Instead, Joe Biden and his inept administration surrendered in defeat.

We will live on, but sadly our Country will be wounded for a long period of time. We will struggle to recover from the embarrassment this incompetence has caused. Do not fear, however. America will be made great again!”

Featured Image Photo Credit: AP Photo/Jill Colvin