Trump's plan to transform DC from 'hellhole' to haven just getting started

President Donald Trump appears to be on a mission to advance what he refers to as a "miracle," by further increasing safety, beautifying Union Station and finally fixing potholes and roads in the city that Washingtonians have cursed for years. 

On Wednesday, Trump’s Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, announced that the administration will be taking over management of the iconic Union Station in Washington, D.C. “It’s not a power play, we’ve always had it. But we think we can manage the property better, bring in more tenants, bring in more revenue,” he said.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has owned the depot since the 1980s, but it has been overseen by other entities since then. The station is a hub for Washington’s Metro rail service, Amtrak trains and city buses. The site also features retail shops and restaurants, though vacancies have plagued the property in recent years. 

Union Station in Washington, D.C., opened in 1907 as a rail hub, crafted by Daniel Burnham in the Beaux-Arts style to unify the city’s train services and showcase its rising stature. Commissioned by major railroads and the federal government, it replaced outdated stations and thrived during World War II. 

Decay and disrepair set in

During the late 20th century, declining rail use led to decay and disrepair. 

A 1980s restoration resuscitated its former grandeur, but according to Duffy, “Instead of being a point of pride, Washington’s Union Station has fallen into disrepair.”

“By reclaiming station management, we will help make this city safe and beautiful at a fraction of the cost.” Bringing more tenants to the retail area will drive revenue which, according to Duffy, “is going to allow us to make investments in this beautiful building…it’s showing its age.”

“We want to make this place, beautiful and the premier train station, not just in America, but the premier train station in the world.”

Fixing D.C.’s dilapidated roadways

The next consequential improvement could be to repair potholes and repave areas of the capital city.

Last week, during an impromptu field trip, Trump told the press that he plans to push Congress for $2 billion to further spruce up Washington, D.C. “Look, D.C. is a miracle,” he told reporters during the stop at a new White House Historical Association museum. “You live here. Have you been mugged lately? OK, D.C. was a hellhole, and now it’s safe.”

Trump reiterated that his policing moves have made the city safer, but that he also has plans to improve infrastructure issues like repaving roads and repairing busted light poles to make D.C. look sharper within a year. 

Obtaining the finances to do so could prove difficult, as some budget-conscious House Republicans aren’t keen on big spending. Trump also encouraged D.C.'s Democrat Mayor, Muriel Bowser, to crank up efforts to make the city safer and prettier, aiming to give the capital a big glow-up. 

D.C. has had issues with potholes and crumbling roads for years, with many complaints — over 10,000 a year, according to a 2019 report — about beat-up streets thanks to heavy traffic and tight budgets. 

The city’s Department of Transportation has been slammed by residents for slow repairs, so Trump’s cash injection could be a game-changer for these long-standing bumps-in-the-road that can wreak havoc on a vehicle's tires, undercarriage and alignment.

Evaporation of D.C. crime 

Following Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard and federalize Washington, D.C.'s police force on August 11, recent data show a significant drop in criminal activity. According to a CBS News review of Metropolitan Police Department statistics from August 7 to August 25, violent crime decreased by almost 50% compared to the same period in 2024, with burglaries falling 48% and vehicle thefts declining 36%. 

The operation has led to over 1,094 arrests, including gang members, and the confiscation of 115 firearms.