Trump administration to control Union Station
By: Bart Jansen
USA Today
WASHINGTON - The Transpiration Department plans to manage the capital's Union station rail, subway and bus hub as part of the Trump administration's increasing control of D.C. to fight crime and homeless encampments.
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Transportation Secretary Seam Duffy announced the move August 27. [2025] President Donald Trump had already taken control of the police department and mobilized hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., including at Union Station.
..... The department, which already owns Union Station, is renegotiating a cooperative agreement with the nonprofit Union Station Redevelopment Corporation and Amtrak, which leases the station.
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The federal government's renewed control of the iconic station, which Duffy said has been neglected for decades, is expected to begin in September. [2025]
..... "The president has been very concerned about crime in our nation's capital," Duffy told reporters at a news conference. "He wants a capital hat is worthy of the greatest country that has ever existed on the face of the earth."
..... "We are going to make the investments to make sure that this station isn't dirty, that we don't have homelessness in Union station, Duffy continued. "Not a power play - we've always had it. But we think that we can manage the property better."
..... Union Station serves as a hub for Amtrak rail service, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority subway system and regional bus lines. with more than 5.6 million rail passengers in 2024, it is the second-busiest Amtrak station in the country, behind New York's Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station.
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But the station within sight of the U.S. Capitol has also served as a magnet for homeless encampments that federal authorities have removed, Duffy raised concerns in March [2025] about crime at Union Station and said Amtrak, in leasing the station, had to provide a plan to reduce and prevent crime.
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Shortly afterward, the White House forced Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner to step down after four years leading the railroad.
..... "It's time for Amtrak leadership to clean up Union Station," Duffy said at the time. "It's time to rid our nation's treasures of homelessness and crime. commuters and travelers need to feel safe in our capital."
..... The railroad has been run by Amtrak President Roger Harris since then and hasn't named a new CEO.
..... Taking greater federal control of the station is part of Trump's overall goal of reducing crime in D.C. and beautifying the capital. Vice President JD Vance visited Union station with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to thank the Guard troops for their patrols and feed them hamburgers.
..... Vance, a former senator, had complained about an incident where someone yelled at his son while walking through Union Station a couple of years ago. But with the arrival of National Guard troops, he said the station was safe for parents to bring their children.
..... Contributing: Reuters