Donald Trump is tightening his grip on Washington. The president has now taken control of Union Station, moving it out of Amtrak’s hands and putting it directly under his administration.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the takeover on Wednesday alongside Amtrak President Roger Harris at Washington’s main transportation hub during the launch of an updated version of the rail service’s Acela train. Duffy said the station has “fallen into disrepair” when it should be a “point of pride” for the District of Columbia.
He added that the Republican administration’s move would help beautify the landmark in an economical way and fit with Trump’s vision. “He wants Union Station to be beautiful again. He wants transit to be safe again. And he wants our nation’s capital to be great again. And today is part of that,” Duffy said.
This change comes after weeks of other federal actions in the city. Trump has boosted the number of law enforcement and immigration agents on city streets, taken over the Metropolitan Police Department, and activated thousands of National Guard members. Last week, he also said he wants $2 billion from Congress to beautify Washington, showing a clear push to expand federal control.
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Duffy explained that the federal government can manage the station better. He said it will attract more shops and restaurants and generate revenue that can be used for upgrades. The station, which opened in 1907, has gone through many management changes and has faced repeated challenges with cleanliness, safety, and maintenance.
Mayor Muriel Bowser weighed in, calling the federal renovation “an amazing initiative” because the city cannot cover the costs on its own. “It has suffered from not being able to get the money that it needs for the renovation,” she said, highlighting the financial strain the city faces while welcoming the investment.
Security has also been a focus. National Guard troops have patrolled in and around Union Station since Trump announced his anti-crime plan. When Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the station with troops last week, they were shouted down by people opposed to the federal intervention, showing tensions around the takeover.
Duffy had previously pressed Amtrak about crime in a March letter to its chief operating officer, requesting an updated safety plan. Deputy Transportation Secretary Steve Bradbury cited a new roof and public restrooms among $170 million in upgrades the station needs.
Meanwhile, Amtrak’s new high-speed train, the NextGen Acela, will start serving the Northeast Corridor on Thursday, said Harris, Amtrak’s president. The trains can reach speeds of up to 160 mph, about 10 mph faster than the train it replaces. Duffy and other officials boarded one of the new trains afterward for an inaugural ride to New York’s Penn Station.
Union Station has faced challenges throughout its nearly 120-year history. In 1981, heavy rain damaged the ceiling, and the National Park Service declared the building unsafe. It closed for 5 years while renovations took place, and President Ronald Reagan signed the Union Station Redevelopment Act to fund its comeback. More recently, the station struggled during the COVID pandemic, with foot traffic dropping and many shops closing. The past 3 years, however, have seen a gradual recovery.
Featured image via X screengrab
