President Donald Trump continues to ponder federal takeover of 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Just over one year ago at the Nassau Coliseum, President Donald Trump introduced the idea of the federal government taking up a significant role in the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

"I think this is a big deal," Trump said in his September 2024 campaign speech. "I’m announcing tonight as president I will officially make the Ground Zero site at the World Trade Center a national monument, protected and maintained by the United States of America. So that hallowed ground and memory of those who perished there will be preserved for all time, preserved forever."

On Thursday, Trump’s campaign promise took on further meaning: The president is contemplating taking over the museum and memorial, which is run by a local nonprofit, according to a report in The New York Times. The White House press team did not respond to a request for comment on Friday.

Last September, Trump positioned the promise with respect to  the firefighters union, Local 94, which represents the most fighters in New York City. He said he was promising to make the memorial a national monument, run by the federal government, "in their honor."

"The New Yorkers who created the 9/11 National Memorial really did an amazing job, didn’t they, and many of them are here today," Trump continued following the crowd’s chanting of "U.S.A." "And I want to thank them. And I want to ensure their outstanding work is sustained forever and that’s what we’ve done by doing this."

Andrew Ansbro, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York, which includes the local union Trump referenced, told Newsday that the union spoke with members of Trump’s campaign last year.

"I definitely welcome this conversation," Ansbro told Newsday.

A "push toward making it a national memorial or monument, I would definitely welcome that," he added.

Ansbro, who is a survivor of the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, said he has never gone to the museum and has always taken issue with it, in part because of the unidentified remains that are held within the museum. His frustration is having to go through the museum, and expose himself to those memories, in order to pay respects.

"I know full well that if I had been lost that day and my remains were not identified, that my family would not want to have to travel to a museum to pay respects to what might be my remains," Ansbro said.

Ansbro referenced concerns about the financial stability of the museum. His argument, in part, is that if it were a part of the national park system, the financial health would be irrelevant.

Beth Hillman, president and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, cited the work among New Yorkers to create the site and "$750 million in private funds to build and sustain this tribute."

Hillman noted that the museum is "confident that our current operating model has served the public honorably and is effective."

"At a time when the federal government is working to cut costs, assuming the full operating expenses for the site makes no sense," Hillman said in a statement.

Over 90 million have visited the memorial, Hillman said. About 2.4 million visited in 2024, according to the nonprofit’s federal tax filing.

 Gov. Kathy Hochul issued her opposition to Trump’s plan in a statement on Friday, following the news report.

"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," Hochul said in a statement Friday. "Before he meddles with this sacred site, the president should start by honoring survivors and supporting the families of victims."