The U.S. Department of Transportation, led by Secretary Sean Duffy, announced on August 27, 2025, that it will take over management of Washington’s Union Station from Amtrak.
The decision aligns with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to assert federal control over the nation’s capital, citing the station’s deteriorating condition and safety issues.
Union Station, a major rail hub near the U.S. Capitol, has been managed by Amtrak, but the department plans to renegotiate agreements with Amtrak and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation to reclaim oversight.
Duffy emphasized that Union Station should be a “point of pride” for Washington but has instead “fallen into disrepair.”
The administration aims to restore the station to enhance safety and aesthetics, with Duffy stating, “By reclaiming station management, we will help make this city safe and beautiful at a fraction of the cost.”
This move follows President Trump’s request for $2 billion from Congress to beautify Washington, part of a larger initiative that includes deploying thousands of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement to combat what he claims is rampant crime, despite local police data showing a decline in violent crime in recent years.
The shift in Union Station’s management coincides with other federal interventions, including Trump’s earlier takeover of the D.C. police department and the forced resignation of Amtrak’s CEO, Stephen Gardner, in March 2025.
The Transportation Department expects to formalize its control of Union Station by September.
Meanwhile, Amtrak, now led by President Roger Harris, unveiled its NextGen Acela trains on the same day, designed for the Northeast Corridor with speeds up to 160 mph and 27% more seating.
The administration’s actions reflect a pattern of increased federal oversight, including redirecting Amtrak to lead the Penn Station Reconstruction project in New York.