"The attack on the Pentagon DID NOT BRING WASHINGTON DC TO A HALT."
I was in downtown Washington DC between the White House and the Capitol on 9/11. I don't know what you experienced but I can personally testify to panic in the streets as terrified commuters fled the city, causing a massive traffic jam. The confusion and fear on the street was palpable. People were shouting to get on buses, acting irrationally. A high-level individual in our organization caused a scandal by abandoning his female associate on Capitol Hill in a rush to get out of there. Our building was on lockdown and we were told to be prepared to spend the night as noone knew what was happening or what other attacks might occur.
The purpose was to allow the military and public safety personnel easy access to any other sites of possible attack.
I was here. I obeyed orders. I was back at work the next day at 6 AM.