August Pfluger is a Republican U.S. representative for Texas's 11th Congressional District and chair of the Republican Study Committee. A U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, he served as a fighter pilot before entering Congress.
Case
Rudy Giuliani, George Pataki, and some September 11 victims’ relatives opposed Zohran Mamdani attending the 2026 memorial, citing his rhetoric and associations. Mamdani said he would honor victims; other elected officials and a family group said excluding the sitting mayor would politicize the commemoration.
Role at the time: Republican U.S. representative for Texas's 11th District and Republican Study Committee chair
Responding to
Should Zohran Mamdani attend New York City’s 9/11 memorial?
"actually call out terror groups around the world"
Opposition has an explicit condition, not an unconditional permanent exclusion.
Statement dates: September 10, 2026
Statement dates: September 10, 2026
