The Trump administration is investigating the possibility of federal control over the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, it was confirmed on Friday.
Located in lower Manhattan where the World Trade Center’s towers were destroyed by hijacked planes on September 11, 2001, the site features two memorial pools surrounded by waterfalls and inscribed names of the victims, along with an underground museum.
The memorial and museum have been overseen by a public charity since its opening to the public in 2014, chaired by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a known critic of Trump, reports AP/UNB.
The White House confirmed that the administration has held “preliminary exploratory discussions” regarding the matter but declined to provide further details. The office did mention that US President Donald Trump had pledged during his presidential campaign to make the site a national monument, protected and managed by the federal government.
However, officials from the National September 11 Memorial & Museum argue that the federal government cannot assume control of the site under current legal frameworks, as it sits on land owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The museum’s President and CEO, Beth Hillman, expressed doubts about the federal government taking over, particularly in light of Trump’s efforts to reduce the federal bureaucracy. “We’re proud that our exhibitions tell stories of bravery and patriotism and are confident that our current operating model has served the public honourably and effectively,” Hillman said, pointing out that the organisation has raised $750 million in private donations and attracted around 90 million visitors since its inception.
According to the museum’s latest available tax filings, it earned more than $93 million in revenue last year, with approximately $84 million spent on operating expenses, resulting in a surplus of nearly $9 million after accounting for depreciation.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also voiced her reservations about a federal takeover. She pointed to the Trump administration’s efforts to influence how American history is portrayed in national monuments and museums, including the Smithsonian.
Hochul emphasised that the 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.”
She further stated, “Before he meddles with this sacred site, the President should start by honouring survivors and supporting the families of victims.”
The 9/11 attacks killed almost 3,000 people, with more than 2,700 victims dying when the World Trade Center’s towers collapsed after being hit by hijacked planes.