By Philip Marcelo
Associated Press
NEW YORK 鈥� President Donald Trump鈥檚 administration said Friday that it is exploring whether the federal government can take control of the 9/11 memorial and museum in New York City.
The site in lower Manhattan, where the World Trade Center鈥檚 twin towers were destroyed by hijacked jetliners on , features two memorial pools ringed by waterfalls and parapets with the names of the dead, and an underground museum. Since opening to the public in 2014, the memorial plaza and museum have been run by a public charity, now chaired by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a frequent Trump critic.
| EARLIER: 鈥楯ust another slap in the face': Executive salaries soar at 9/11 museum despite $20M loss
The White House confirmed the administration has had 鈥減reliminary exploratory discussions鈥� about the idea, but declined to elaborate. The office noted the Republican last year to make the site a national monument, protected and maintained by the federal government.
But officials at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum say the federal government, under current laws, can鈥檛 unilaterally take over the site, which is located on land owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The U.S. government shouldering costs and management of the site also 鈥渕akes no sense,鈥� given Trump鈥檚 efforts to the federal bureaucracy, said Beth Hillman, the organization鈥檚 president and CEO.
鈥淲e鈥檙e proud that our exhibitions tell stories of bravery and patriotism and are confident that our current operating model has served the public honorably and effectively,鈥� she said, noting the organization has raised $750 million in private funds and welcomed some 90 million visitors since its opening.
Last year, the museum generated more than $93 million in revenue and spent roughly $84 million on operating costs, leaving a nearly $9 million surplus when depreciation is factored in, according to museum officials and its .
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, meanwhile, voiced her own concerns about a federal takeover, citing the Trump administration鈥檚 recent efforts to influence how American history is told through its national monuments and museums, .
The takeover idea also comes just months after the Trump administration that provides health benefits to people with illnesses that might be linked to toxic dust from the destroyed World Trade Center.
鈥淭he 9/11 Memorial belongs to New Yorkers 鈥� the families, survivors, and first responders who have carried this legacy for more than two decades and ensured we never forget,鈥� Hochul said in a statement. 鈥淏efore he meddles with this sacred site, the President should start by honoring survivors and supporting the families of victims.鈥�
Anthoula Katsimatides, a museum board member who lost her brother, John, in the attack, said she didn鈥檛 see any reason to change ownership.
鈥淭hey do an incredible job telling the story of that day without sugarcoating it,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 being run so well, I don鈥檛 see why there has to be a change. I don鈥檛 see what benefit there would be.鈥�
The memorial and museum, however, have also been the target of criticism over the years from some members of the large community of 9/11 victims鈥� families, some of whom have criticized ticket prices or called for changes in the makeup of the museum鈥檚 exhibits.
Trump spokespersons declined to respond to the comments.
In all, nearly 3,000 people were killed when the hijackers crashed jetliners into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in southwest Pennsylvania attacks. More than 2,700 of those victims perished in the fiery collapse of the trade center鈥檚 twin towers.
What do you think? Should the 9/11 Memorial and Museum be turned over to the National Park Service?
