Trump's Firing of JFK Library Director Leads to Month-Long Closure

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts, temporarily closed its doors in January 2019 due to the firing of its director by the Trump administration. The library, which is a part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), was forced to shut down due to the lack of leadership and uncertainty surrounding its future.

The firing of the library's director, Tom Putnam, was part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to remove career civil servants from their positions and replace them with political appointees. The move was criticized by many, including former first lady and Kennedy family member, Caroline Kennedy, who called it "a political purge."

The closure of the JFK Library had a significant impact on the local community and the tourism industry in Boston. The library is a popular tourist attraction, drawing over 200,000 visitors each year. The closure also affected the library's staff, who were forced to take unpaid leave during the shutdown.

After a month-long closure, the JFK Library reopened in February 2019 under the leadership of an acting director, David Ferriero, who is also the archivist of the United States. The reopening was welcomed by the public and the Kennedy family, who expressed their relief that the library was once again open to the public.

The JFK Library's closure and reopening highlighted the importance of the library as a cultural and historical institution, as well as the impact that political decisions can have on such institutions. The episode also raised concerns about the politicization of the civil service and the potential impact on the nonpartisan mission of the National Archives.