Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Wednesday that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will reclaim management of Washington, D.C.’s Union Station starting in September, citing the need to improve safety, restore the historic hub, and support the Trump administration’s broader anti-crime crackdown in the capital.
Although the DOT has owned Union Station since the early 1980s, its control has gradually been diminished by leases and agreements with other entities. Duffy argued that the shift is necessary to restore the facility’s condition and reputation.
“Instead of being a point of pride, Washington’s Union Station has fallen into disrepair,” Duffy said. “By reclaiming station management, we will help make this city safe and beautiful at a fraction of the cost.”
Union Station is one of the busiest transit hubs in the country, serving as a key gateway for D.C.’s Metro system, Amtrak routes across the Northeast Corridor, and other East Coast destinations. Amtrak estimates that about 70,000 passengers pass through the station daily.
The station has become a focal point in the federal government’s crackdown on crime and homelessness in Washington. A significant National Guard contingent has been deployed there, and Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently visited troops stationed at the site.
The DOT said regaining operational control will allow it to reinvest revenue streams, such as parking fees, into capital improvements like upgraded lighting, elevators, and security measures. Officials are currently renegotiating agreements with the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation and Amtrak, with renewed federal management expected to take effect in September.
