US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday that his department is taking control of Washington’s Union Station from Amtrak, marking a significant federal intervention in the management of the city’s main transit hub. The announcement came ahead of the launch of Amtrak’s new high-speed NextGen Acela train, where Duffy was set to join Amtrak President Roger Harris.
Duffy said Union Station had “fallen into disrepair” and should instead serve as a “point of pride” for the capital. He argued that federal management would help restore safety and beauty to the station “at a fraction of the cost.” His remarks closely echoed President Donald Trump, who recently asked Congress for USD 2 billion to beautify Washington, linking the effort to his broader crackdown on crime in the city.
Although Trump has claimed violent crime has strangled Washington, local police statistics show that crime has declined in recent years. Nevertheless, the administration has deployed thousands of National Guard troops and federal officers to the capital, including patrols inside and around Union Station. The move has drawn protests, as Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were shouted down by critics when they visited the site last week.
Duffy’s announcement also ties into his ongoing pressure on Amtrak. In March, he sent a letter to Amtrak’s chief operating officer demanding an updated safety plan for Union Station. Alongside the new high-speed train launch, the secretary is expected to highlight the administration’s vision of transforming Union Station into a “world-class transit hub.”
