Trump looking to take over September 11 Memorial and Museum, report says

LOWER MANHATTAN (WABC) -- President Trump's administration has taken an outsized role in trying to manage museums around the country, and now he has eyes on the September 11 Memorial and Museum, according to a new report in the New York Times.

The report says that the Trump Administration is looking at taking over the museum in Lower Manhattan, though it is not clear exactly how or why they would do so, or what the plans might entail.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment, but the move would come as Trump has drawn criticism over his efforts to take over other museums, including Washington D.C.'s Smithsonian.

Now, some New Yorkers are speaking out against any such takeover in New York, including the museum itself. The September 11 Memorial and Museum president issued a statement that they have raised $750 million in private funds for the museum, adding, "At a time when the Federal government is working to cut costs, assuming the full operating expenses for the site makes no sense."

Retired Sergeant William Keegan, who was a first responder on 9/11 says that he agrees.

"When the museum is staffed and run by people from New York that care about that place in a very personal way, that's the way to go," Keegan said.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul had a similar message, saying the museum "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."

As far as the ceremony at Ground Zero next week, the reports say Trump is not expected to attend, but will go to a ceremony at the Pentagon and then a Yankees game.

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