Amtrak’s CEO Stephen Gardner has stepped down as head of the US passenger railroad after President Donald Trump allegedly pressured him to quit. Gardner cited concerns about maintaining administration support, while a White House official confirmed he was asked to leave.
Gardner’s departure follows recent service woes, including a November suspension of train service between New York and Washington due to power issues in Philadelphia. Amtrak is currently boosting passenger services on the East Coast as it aims to double ridership nationwide by 2040.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has expressed concerns about safety at Washington’s Union Station, stating that Amtrak needs to “clean up” the area to reduce homelessness and crime. Billionaire Elon Musk, advising Trump on government shrinkage plans, recently suggested privatizing Amtrak.
The move comes amid ongoing funding struggles for Amtrak, with annual federal support totaling $2.4 billion in 2023. Congress recently approved a slightly reduced $2.42 billion for the next fiscal year.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/19/white-house-forces-out-ceo-of-passenger-railroad-amtrak.html