Trump marks 16th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks at White House ceremony

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump led a moment of silence in a brief, somber ceremony at the White House on Monday to mark the 16th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump walked onto the South Lawn and stood as bells tolled for the first 9/11 anniversary during Trump's presidency. They then bowed their heads and stood silently before placing their hands on their hearts as a bugler played 'Taps.”

They will attend a memorial ceremony at the Pentagon later Monday morning.

Vice President Mike Pence traveled to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where one of the four hijacked jetliners crashed after passengers overpowered the hijackers. Two planes hit and destroyed the World Trade Center in New York and the other crashed into the Pentagon.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the coordinated attacks directed by al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

Trump, a frequent early-morning tweeter, did not post any messages ahead of the 8:46 a.m. ceremony at the White House.

Pence is scheduled to speak later Monday morning at the rural site of the Pennsylvania crash. He and his wife will tour the Flight 93 National Memorial nearby.