Trump Administration Explores Taking Control of 9/11 Memorial and Museum
The Trump administration has announced that it is considering taking control of the 9/11 memorial and museum in New York City, sparking concerns among officials and families of victims. The site, which features two memorial pools and an underground museum, has been run by a public charity since its opening in 2014.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum has been successful in raising $750 million in private funds and welcoming over 90 million visitors since its opening. However, the Trump administration has had “preliminary exploratory discussions” about taking over the site, citing the President’s campaign pledge to make the site a national monument.
Concerns Over Federal Takeover
Officials at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum have expressed concerns over the potential takeover, stating that the federal government cannot unilaterally take over the site under current laws. The site is located on land owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the organization has raised significant private funds to support its operations.
Beth Hillman, the organization’s president and CEO, noted that the federal government taking over the site “makes no sense” given the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the federal bureaucracy. She also expressed confidence in the organization’s current operating model, which has generated over $93 million in revenue and welcomed millions of visitors.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has also voiced concerns over the potential takeover, citing the Trump administration’s recent efforts to influence how American history is told through its national monuments and museums. She stated that the 9/11 Memorial “belongs to New Yorkers — the families, survivors, and first responders who have carried this legacy for more than two decades and ensured we never forget.”
Community Reaction
Anthoula Katsimatides, a museum board member who lost her brother in the 9/11 attacks, expressed skepticism over the need for a change in ownership. She stated that the museum “does an incredible job telling the story of that day without sugarcoating it” and that she sees no benefit to a federal takeover.
The memorial and museum have also been the target of criticism from some members of the 9/11 victims’ families, who have criticized ticket prices or called for changes in the makeup of the museum’s exhibits. However, the organization has maintained that its current operating model has served the public “honorably and effectively.”
FILE – A woman holds up a photo of a New York City Police officer during the 9/11 Memorial ceremony on the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Sept. 11, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith, File)
The 9/11 attacks resulted in the loss of nearly 3,000 lives, with over 2,700 victims perishing in the collapse of the World Trade Center’s twin towers. The memorial and museum serve as a poignant reminder of the tragedy and its impact on the nation.
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