Washington, D.C. – August 28, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced plans to reclaim management of Washington, D.C.’s Union Station, a historic transportation hub and national landmark, in a move aimed at addressing its perceived decline and aligning with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to enhance safety and revitalize the nation’s capital. The announcement, made by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy on Wednesday, marks a significant shift in the station’s oversight, which has been managed by Amtrak since August 2024 following a legal battle with a private real estate company.
Union Station, owned by the federal government since the 1980s, has long been a vital transit hub, serving approximately 70,000 passengers daily on over 200 Amtrak and commuter trains. The Beaux-Arts building, opened in 1907, is not only a key transportation node connecting the Northeast Corridor and regional rail lines but also houses dozens of shops and restaurants. However, officials have cited deteriorating conditions, including safety concerns and physical disrepair, as the impetus for the federal takeover.
“Instead of being a point of pride, Washington’s Union Station has fallen into disrepair,” Duffy said during a press conference held alongside the launch of Amtrak’s new NextGen Acela trains. “By reclaiming station management, we will help make this city safe and beautiful at a fraction of the cost.”
The DOT plans to renegotiate its agreements with Amtrak and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC), a nonprofit that has managed the station’s commercial and preservation efforts since 1983. Under the new arrangement, Amtrak will continue to operate the rail-specific areas, while the federal government will oversee retail, security, and building renovations. “We want Amtrak to run trains; that is their expertise,” Duffy emphasized. “They’re not great at managing these other properties.”
The takeover is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to exert federal control over Washington, D.C., following the deployment of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement to address crime in the city. Union Station has been a focal point in these efforts, with National Guard members patrolling the station and nearby areas since early August. Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently visited the station, describing it as a hotspot for crime and homelessness, though citywide violent crime has declined since 2023.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed cautious optimism about the federal government’s plans, noting that Union Station requires an estimated $8 billion in repairs—a cost the city cannot bear alone. “If it’s about what Union Station needs for its total transformation, that would be an amazing initiative for the federal government to take on,” Bowser said at a separate press conference.
The DOT’s strategy includes leveraging the station’s commercial potential to generate revenue for upgrades, such as a new roof, improved lighting, and enhanced security measures. The agency anticipates that these improvements will attract private investment, potentially supporting an $8.8 billion modernization plan known as the 2nd Century Plan, which aims to triple passenger capacity and redevelop surrounding land while preserving the station’s historic facade.
Public reaction to the takeover has been mixed. Some passengers and local business owners welcome the promise of a safer, cleaner station, while others view the move as an overreach of federal authority. Posts on X reflect divided sentiments, with some describing the National Guard presence as creating a “war zone” atmosphere, while others note reduced loitering around the station.
Formal action to confirm the DOT’s renewed control is expected in September. As the federal government moves forward, the focus will be on restoring Union Station to its former glory as a world-class transit hub and a symbol of the nation’s capital.
Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation, NPR, Bloomberg, The GW Hatchet, and posts on X.