Management of the Washington Union Station is transitioning under government control

• The management of the union station in Washington is transitioning to the Department of Transportation.
• By taking control, the government hopes to improve the state of the station.
• The plans also include upgrading the infrastructure and security.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday that his department is taking over the management of the union station in Washington from Amtrak. This is yet another example of how the federal government is asserting its control over the capital's landmarks.

Duffy made this announcement prior to meeting with Amtrak President Roger Harris at the union station for the launch of the new high-speed train, NextGen Acela.

The Secretary noted that the union station, located in close proximity to the U.S. Capitol, "serves as a gateway to the west," and that it should be "a point of pride" for the city.

"By restoring the management of the station, we can make this place safe and beautiful for years to come," Duffy said.

These words reflect the position of President Donald Trump, who earlier this week stated the need to allocate $2 billion from Congress to improve the appearance of Washington in the context of combating crime in the city.

While local police statistics indicate a decrease in violent crime in Washington in recent years, Trump asserts that these figures are inflated, not backed by evidence.

At the union station, national guardsmen patrol after Trump initiated his anti-crime campaign at the beginning of this month. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attended a briefing with the federal agents during their visit earlier this week.

During the unveiling of the train, Duffy also discussed plans for the administration regarding the transformation of the union station into a global transportation hub, along with the announcement from the Department of Transportation.

The Secretary has reached out to Amtrak regarding the crime situation at the union station and proposed an updated plan to enhance public safety.

Tags: USA/Politics