The Trump administration is pressuring Senator Chuck Schumer to rename New York’s Penn Station and Washington Dulles International Airport after President Trump in exchange for releasing billions of dollars in frozen funding for a rail tunnel under the Hudson River. The funding, which is needed for a $16 billion project, has been withheld since October due to concerns over diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
According to officials familiar with private conversations, Schumer was told that if he agreed to rename the facilities, the money would be released. However, Schumer has rebuffed the request, citing no direct oversight over either transportation hub. The proposal comes as Trump appears to be undertaking a national renaming effort, including the Kennedy Center and U.S. Institute of Peace.
The Gateway project, which spans from Boston to Washington, is critical for the Northeast Corridor rail route. Withdrawing funding would have significant effects on the national economy and thousands of jobs at risk. Schumer’s rejection of the proposal has been backed by fellow Democrats, who argue that renaming the facilities isn’t a negotiable issue.
If the Trump administration holds firm, it could mark a significant escalation in their efforts to leave their legacy, potentially affecting millions of Americans across the East Coast.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/us/politics/trump-schumer-penn-station-dulles-airport-renaming.html