One of Washington, D.C.’s busiest transit hubs is now the latest focus of President Donald Trump’s push to expand federal control over the nation’s capital. On August 27, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that Washington Union Station will be brought “back under” federal authority as part of the administration’s campaign to reduce crime, remove homelessness, and revitalize public spaces in the city.
The move follows the president’s earlier decision to deploy military and federal law enforcement to curb violent crime in the capital and to place the Metropolitan Police Department under federal government control. The Union Station takeover represents another step in Trump’s effort to assert greater power over D.C., which has historically managed its own governance.
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Why the Takeover?
At a press conference, Duffy said the federal government intends to restore Union Station to its former glory, describing the landmark as “neglected” and in need of major improvements. He linked the decision to the White House’s broader “law and order” agenda, emphasizing that safety, cleanliness, and redevelopment are central to the plan.
“We are going to make the investments to make sure that this station isn’t dirty, we don’t have homelessness in Union Station,” Duffy said. “We think that we can manage the property better. Federal control will bring in more tenants, more business, and more revenue.”
The announcement came alongside the unveiling of new high-speed Acela trains for Amtrak, underscoring the administration’s focus on modernizing transportation infrastructure.
Security at Union Station
In recent weeks, Union Station has been heavily guarded. National Guard troops, federal law enforcement, and military personnel have been stationed throughout the area. On August 20, Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller visited the station to meet with members of the Louisiana National Guard. The show of force highlights how Union Station has become both a symbolic and practical centerpiece of Trump’s federal intervention in the capital.
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Who Actually Runs Union Station?
The governance of Union Station has always been complicated. Officially, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) owns the hub. However, management involves a web of organizations:
- Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC): A nonprofit that leases and manages parts of the station.
- Amtrak: Oversees day-to-day operations and provides intercity passenger rail service.
- Private Tenants & Retailers: Operate businesses inside the station.
In 2024, a federal judge granted Amtrak greater control of Union Station through eminent domain, allowing it to assume more authority over redevelopment and daily management. Now, with the Trump administration’s move, direct federal oversight will expand even further.
The Bigger Picture
Union Station’s federal takeover is part of Trump’s broader strategy to project strength in Washington, D.C. The president has repeatedly tied his reelection campaign to promises of restoring “law and order” in the nation’s capital. By exerting control over transit, policing, and major public infrastructure, the White House seeks to showcase results ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
For commuters, travelers, and local businesses, the coming months will reveal whether the administration’s promises translate into meaningful improvements — or whether the takeover fuels new controversy over federal power in the District.
