WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration is taking management of Union Station away from Amtrak in the latest example of the federal government exerting its power over the nation’s capital.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the takeover Wednesday alongside Amtrak President Roger Harris at Washington’s main transportation hub during the launch of an updated version of the rail service’s Acela train.
Union Station, in walking distance from the Capitol, has “fallen into disrepair” when it should be a “point of pride” for the District of Columbia, Duffy said. He said the Republican administration’s move would help beautify the landmark in an economical way and was in line with 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.
It’s Trump’s latest attempt to put the city under his control. In recent weeks, Trump has increased the number of federal law enforcement and immigration agents on city streets while also taking over the Metropolitan Police Department and activating thousands of National Guard members. Last week, Trump said he wants $2 billion from Congress to beautify Washington.
I was just in Union station for the very first time this last spring, and I thought it was perfectly wonderful as a piece of architecture. I’m no critic of the art of building or anything of the sort, but as a rando first time train traveler, I was actually pretty impressed with it. One thing I particularly enjoyed was a little used bookstore and record shop they had on one of the levels.