President Donald Trump’s administration has announced it will look into taking to take direct control of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, citing financial mismanagement and declining attendance at the privately run institution.
In a statement this week, the Department of the Interior said the move may be necessary to “preserve and protect a national site of historic significance.” The takeover could put the memorial and museum — home to artifacts, oral histories, and unidentified remains from the 2001 attacks — under federal management for the first time. It is currently run by a board including private investors like former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The 9/11 Museum faced years of financial turbulence, including pandemic-era revenue losses, rising operating costs, and controversy over ticket price hikes. Trump said the federal action will “secure this hallowed ground for future generations” and promised to maintain free public access to the outdoor memorial plaza.
However, officials say that the federal government cannot just take over the site as the land and museum are under jurisdiction of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Both New York Governor Kathy Hochul and current NYC Mayor Eric Adams have also voiced their opposition to a federal takeover.
Reaction has been mixed. Some 9/11 victims’ families welcomed the move, saying Washington’s involvement could stabilize funding and long-term operations as “prayers answered.” Others raised concerns that federal control could politicize the site or influence its exhibits.
Fox News reports that Trump is scheduled to honor the 9/11 anniversary on Thursday by attending ceremonies at the Pentagon and taking in a Yankees game, skipping Ground Zero entirely.
