The National Archives, which administers the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, announced the library will reopen Wednesday, after the library announced it was unexpectedly closed Tuesday “until further notice.”The library was closed as of 2 p.m. Tuesday, citing a mass firing of federal workers following a new executive order from President Donald Trump.An announcement of the closure was posted on the library’s website and on social media by the JFK Library Foundation. “Due to executive order, the JFK Library is closed until further notice,” a foundation spokesperson said in a statement given to NewsCenter 5. A matching statement, citing the executive order, was also posted on the glass door of the library. Kristen Peryer was in the museum with her family, when suddenly they were asked to leave.”Other guests were walking toward us as they were being escorted out of the building, it was crazy,” Peryer said. “She said it’s an exec order. They’re cutting staff. You have to leave.”Jennifer Schaeffer bought tickets online, but by the time she and her family arrived, the museum had been shut down. “There were signs all over the front door which said ‘closed due to executive order’, that was surprising,” Schaeffer said. “Sometimes you feel separated from that, but when it directly affects a simple thing, it’s kind of eye-opening.”An employee described an emotional meeting that was held just before the building was closed. They said several people left the meeting in tears and that up to nine members of the staff were laid off.JFK’s living relatives said the blame is on Trump and Elon Musk and their decision to fire federal workers.Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s grandson, spoke out about the closure and said the director of presidential libraries from the White House and DOGE instructed the JFK Library to fire a number of staff effective immediately and until further notice.”It has nothing to do with government efficiency, the workers who were fired today actually bring in revenue for the government,” Schlossberg said. “It’s really about stealing the past and about generating propaganda.”Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey shared a similar sentiment to Schlossberg.”Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s thoughtless crusade has caused an iconic institution and economic driver to close in Massachusetts,” Healey said in a statement.”The JFK Library plays an essential role in our state and nation’s history, our travel and tourism sector, and our economy. We hope that this closure will be temporary and urge President Trump and DOGE to reverse course so that the library can reopen to continue educating visitors and contributing to our economy.”The library and museum honoring the 35th president is housed in a landmark building, designed by I.M. Pei, on Columbia Point in Dorchester. The complex opened on Oct. 20, 1979, and then-President Jimmy Carter was among the luminaries who spoke. The facility is one of 16 presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.”The day after President’s Day, Trump’s DOGE has arbitrarily fired staff at the JFK Presidential Library, forcing it to close its doors,” Sen. Ed Markey said in a statement. “Shutting down this vital place of learning, engagement, and revenue creation, if even for a day isn’t just wrong, it degrades the very office of the president.”Trump was scheduled to sign orders Tuesday while at his private club and residence in Palm Beach, including one about access to IVF treatments. It is unclear if the library closure was a product of a new order or a previous order.”The JFK Library is a really special place. Every day, people from around the country & world visit to find inspiration from our 35th President. Trump let DOGE shut it down,” Rep. Jim McGovern said in a statement.”Meanwhile egg prices are through the roof and he’s wasting money on publicity stunts at the Daytona 500.”DOGE has not answered how much the federal government intends to save with the workforce cuts.
The National Archives, which administers the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, announced the library will reopen Wednesday, after the library announced it was unexpectedly closed Tuesday “until further notice.”
The library was closed as of 2 p.m. Tuesday, citing a mass firing of federal workers following a new executive order from President Donald Trump.
An announcement of the closure was posted on the library’s website and on social media by the JFK Library Foundation.
“Due to executive order, the JFK Library is closed until further notice,” a foundation spokesperson said in a statement given to NewsCenter 5.
A matching statement, citing the executive order, was also posted on the glass door of the library.
Kristen Peryer was in the museum with her family, when suddenly they were asked to leave.
“Other guests were walking toward us as they were being escorted out of the building, it was crazy,” Peryer said. “She said it’s an exec order. They’re cutting staff. You have to leave.”
Jennifer Schaeffer bought tickets online, but by the time she and her family arrived, the museum had been shut down.
“There were signs all over the front door which said ‘closed due to executive order’, that was surprising,” Schaeffer said. “Sometimes you feel separated from that, but when it directly affects a simple thing, it’s kind of eye-opening.”
An employee described an emotional meeting that was held just before the building was closed. They said several people left the meeting in tears and that up to nine members of the staff were laid off.
JFK’s living relatives said the blame is on Trump and Elon Musk and their decision to fire federal workers.
Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s grandson, spoke out about the closure and said the director of presidential libraries from the White House and DOGE instructed the JFK Library to fire a number of staff effective immediately and until further notice.
“It has nothing to do with government efficiency, the workers who were fired today actually bring in revenue for the government,” Schlossberg said. “It’s really about stealing the past and about generating propaganda.”
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey shared a similar sentiment to Schlossberg.
“Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s thoughtless crusade has caused an iconic institution and economic driver to close in Massachusetts,” Healey said in a statement.
“The JFK Library plays an essential role in our state and nation’s history, our travel and tourism sector, and our economy. We hope that this closure will be temporary and urge President Trump and DOGE to reverse course so that the library can reopen to continue educating visitors and contributing to our economy.”
The library and museum honoring the 35th president is housed in a landmark building, designed by I.M. Pei, on Columbia Point in Dorchester. The complex opened on Oct. 20, 1979, and then-President Jimmy Carter was among the luminaries who spoke.
The facility is one of 16 presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.
“The day after President’s Day, Trump’s DOGE has arbitrarily fired staff at the JFK Presidential Library, forcing it to close its doors,” Sen. Ed Markey said in a statement.
“Shutting down this vital place of learning, engagement, and revenue creation, if even for a day isn’t just wrong, it degrades the very office of the president.”
Trump was scheduled to sign orders Tuesday while at his private club and residence in Palm Beach, including one about access to IVF treatments. It is unclear if the library closure was a product of a new order or a previous order.
“The JFK Library is a really special place. Every day, people from around the country & world visit to find inspiration from our 35th President. Trump let DOGE shut it down,” Rep. Jim McGovern said in a statement.
“Meanwhile egg prices are through the roof and he’s wasting money on publicity stunts at the Daytona 500.”
DOGE has not answered how much the federal government intends to save with the workforce cuts.
