The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, which had abruptly closed on Tuesday following staffing cuts mandated by an executive order from President Donald Trump, is set to reopen today. The library, a cultural landmark and popular institution at UMass Boston, found itself at the center of a governmental order that let go of several federal employees. According to a statement from the JFK Library Foundation, as reported by WCVB, the cuts were both sudden and unexpected.
Jack Schlossberg, JFK's grandson, was vocal in his disapproval, linking the library's closure to Trump's executive order which called for the dismissal of probationary staff members — individuals with less than two years in their roles and without full civil service protections. Schlossberg, expressing his dismay, told NBC10 Boston, "I've worked with the library's staff for decades, and they are truly amazing." The reaction from visitors and the community underscored a sense of outrage, with patrons like Kristen Peryer, caught amidst their visit, being suddenly asked to leave. "She said it's an exec order. They're cutting staff. You have to leave," recalled Peryer in a statement given to WCVB.
In solidarity with the affected workers and highlighting the broader implications of the closure, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey strongly criticized the action's repercussions, stating, "Donald Trump and Elon Musk's thoughtless crusade has caused an iconic institution and economic driver to close in Massachusetts." Healey's statement, obtained by WCVB, emphasized the neaed for a swift reversal of the executive order to allow the JFK Library to continue its role in the state's economy and education. The library itself, housed in an I.M. Pei-designed building, stands as a tribute to the legacy of the 35th president and has been a fixture since its opening on October 20, 1979.
While officials at the library and the National Archives have not issued an official confirmation regarding the firings, the JFK Library Foundation made the connection between the staff dismissals and the subsequent closure. An announcement on the Foundation's behalf lamented the turn of events: "The sudden dismissal of federal employees at the JFK Library forced the museum to close today. As the Foundation that supports the JFK Library, we are devastated by this news and will continue to support our colleagues and the Library." Notably, the JFK Library was the only one of 13 presidential libraries managed by the National Archives and Records Administration to face a temporary shut down due to the executive order, as detailed by the NBC10 Boston.
