WASHINGTON—Federal officials have said they will take over the management of Washington’s Union Station, which Amtrak now runs.

Amtrak is a federally chartered corporation operating as a for-profit entity, with the U.S. government as its controlling shareholder. The Epoch Times has reached out to Amtrak for comment.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the takeover during an event celebrating the launch of Amtrak’s NextGen Acela trains.

“He wants Union Station to be beautiful again,” Duffy said, referring to President Donald Trump. “He wants transit to be safe again, and he wants our nation’s capital to be great again.”

Duffy said the move is not a power play, noting that the Department of Transportation has owned Union Station since the early 1980s.

“We’ve always had it, but we think that we can manage the property better, bring in more tenants, bring in more revenue,” he said.

“And that revenue is going to allow us to make investments in this beautiful building. It needs investments.

“It’s been, I think, neglected for decades, and it’s showing its age. And again, we want to make this place beautiful, and the premier train station—not just in America, but the premier train station in the world. And that takes money.”

National Guard troops have been stationed outside Union Station, which is close to the U.S. Capitol, as the Trump administration has aimed to crack down on crime in Washington. This has included a federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department.

Duffy said robberies are down by 52 percent in the district, while carjackings are down by 38 percent. Overall, he said, violent crime has decreased by 40 percent.

Amtrak’s new Acela trains are high-speed and travel across the northeast United States.

“The launch of the new Acela is a critical starting point as we work to improve travel for millions of Americans,” Deputy Secretary of Transportation Steve Bradbury said in a statement. “Our nation’s capital should be putting our best foot forward.”

Amtrak President Roger Harris said: “Acela is synonymous with American high-speed trains, and today marks a new era of next-generation service.

“The future of high-speed rail starts now.”

Amtrak Board Chairman Tony Coscia said in a statement: “From the moment our guests step onboard, they’ll feel the difference of a NextGen Acela train thanks to a more modern, premium, and elevated experience.

“We are grateful for Secretary Duffy and Deputy Secretary Bradbury’s support on the project, and for helping it get over the finish line so Northeast Corridor residents and visitors can enjoy a whole new way to travel.”