Federal government is taking management of Union Station away from Amtrak

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government is taking management of Union Station away from Amtrak. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the takeover alongside Amtrak President Roger Harris at Union Station on Wednesday for the launch of the NextGen Acela, the rail service’s new high-speed train.

Union Station, the secretary said, has “fallen into disrepair” when it should be a “point of pride” for the city. He said taking over management of Washington's main transportation hub, which is walking distance from the U.S. Capitol, would help beautify the landmark in an economical way and was in line with President Donald Trump's vision.

“He wants Union Station to be beautiful again. He wants transit to be safe again. And he wants our nation’s capital to be great again. And today is part of that,” Duffy said.

In recent weeks, Trump has increased federal law enforcement and immigration agents in the nation's capital while also taking over the city's police department and activating members of the National Guard, saying he's fighting violent crime.

Duffy echoed the Republican president, who said last week he wants $2 billion from Congress to beautify Washington as part of his crackdown on the city.

National Guard troops have been on patrol inside and outside Union Station after Trump launched the anti-crime effort earlier this month. Duffy had pressed Amtrak about crime at Union Station in a March letter to its chief operating officer and requested an updated plan on how it intended to improve public safety there.