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5d ago

White House Confirms It Is Exploring Federal Control of 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Local officials and museum leaders question its legality, cost, purpose.

FILE - Hagi Abucar places flowers for his former coworker Lindsey Herkness on the south reflecting pool during the 9/11 Memorial ceremony on the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Sept. 11, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)
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)
FILE - Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, and Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, attend the 9/11 Memorial ceremony on the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Sept. 11, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)
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Overview

  • White House officials say only preliminary exploratory discussions have occurred and no takeover plan has been proposed.
  • Museum representatives argue there is no legal mechanism for a unilateral federal takeover and note the site sits on Port Authority land.
  • President and CEO Beth Hillman says assuming operating costs conflicts with federal cost-cutting, citing $750 million raised privately and about 90 million visitors since opening.
  • Recent filings show roughly $93 million in revenue and about $84 million in operating costs last year, as public scrutiny continues over ticket prices and executive compensation.
  • Gov. Kathy Hochul opposes federal control and presses the administration to support the World Trade Center Health Program, while 9/11 families are split, with some backing federal involvement and others urging the current governance to remain.