Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Wednesday that his department will assume control of Union Station in Washington, stripping management from Amtrak as part of a broader federal effort to reassert authority over the capital.
Duffy, set to appear alongside Amtrak President Roger Harris for the debut of the NextGen Acela high-speed train, said the station had “fallen into disrepair” and should serve as a “point of pride” for the city. “By reclaiming station management, we will help make this city safe and beautiful at a fraction of the cost,” he said.
The remarks aligned with President Trump’s recent call for $2 billion from Congress to revitalize Washington as part of his campaign to crack down on crime and revamp the city’s image.
According to a Transportation Department advisory, Duffy will also outline plans to transform Union Station into a world-class transit hub during Wednesday’s event. Earlier this year, he pressed Amtrak in a letter over crime at the station, demanding an updated safety plan from its chief operating officer.
