The Bulwark Publishes Controversial 9/11 Take

Article compares ICE shooting victims to Flight 93 heroes, drawing backlash

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Bulwark, a conservative outlet, published an article by Jonathan V. Last that compared the victims of recent ICE shootings to the heroes of United Flight 93 on 9/11. The article has drawn significant criticism, with some calling the comparison "insane" and "insanely mawkish." The author, Last, has personal connections to 9/11 that may have influenced his perspective.

Why it matters

The 9/11 attacks remain a sensitive and emotional topic in the US, and many feel that comparisons to the events of that day should be made cautiously and respectfully. This article has sparked outrage for what some see as an inappropriate and disrespectful analogy.

The details

In the article, Last wrote that "The forty people killed on Flight 93 were murdered by terrorists from foreign countries. Alex Pretti and Renee Good were murdered by terrorists acting under the aegis of the president of the United States. Their murders were not accidents. They were policy." This comparison between the 9/11 victims and the ICE shooting victims has been widely condemned as inappropriate and offensive.

  • The article was published on February 25, 2026.

The players

The Bulwark

A conservative media outlet that has been critical of former President Trump.

Jonathan V. Last

The author of the controversial article, who has personal connections to the 9/11 attacks.

Dan McLaughlin

A writer for National Review who criticized The Bulwark's position on the article.

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What they’re saying

“The position of the Bulwark is now that the government of the United States is a terrorist organization that should be treated the way we treated the Taliban in 2001.”

— Dan McLaughlin, Writer, National Review (National Review)

The takeaway

This article has sparked outrage for its perceived insensitive and inappropriate comparison between the victims of 9/11 and the victims of recent ICE shootings. The backlash highlights the continued sensitivity surrounding the events of 9/11 and the need for caution when making such comparisons.