Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has urged Congress to direct Amtrak to rename New York's Penn Station as part of an $8 billion overhaul of the transit hub. The proposal, outlined in a letter to Senate committee leaders, comes as funding for surface transportation initiatives is set to expire on September 30.
Duffy described the reauthorization of surface transportation funding as a "unique opportunity" to "address key initiatives – particularly those related to transforming New York Penn Station." He stated the station would be "re-built into a brand-new, world-class station." While Duffy did not specify a new name, he has previously suggested "Trump Station... has a nice ring to it."
A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation declined to comment on whether the administration is seeking to rename the station in honor of President Trump. However, the prospect of renaming Penn Station after Trump has surfaced before. The Department of Transportation took over the renovation project from New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority last April.
At that time, New York Governor Kathy Hochul indicated she would be open to calling it "Trump Station" if the president could facilitate the completion of the long-delayed project. Renderings of the proposed revamp released in June reportedly showed "Pennsylvania Station" on the exterior facade, but "President Donald J. Trump" carved into an interior wall alongside the presidential seal.
Duffy also requested that lawmakers authorize an additional $1 billion grant for the Penn Station renovation. Additionally, he asked for Amtrak to be permitted to enter into agreements with developers to collect payments in lieu of taxes.
Retiring Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), whose district includes Penn Station, criticized the proposal as "ridiculous." Nadler stated on X that Duffy had confirmed the administration was attempting a "hostile takeover of Penn Station, including delivering Trump his dream of renaming Penn Station after himself." Nadler expressed strong opposition to the proposal and demanded answers regarding the project's funding, calling the rebuild a "Trump vanity project."
Earlier this year, Trump reportedly asked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to support renaming Penn Station in exchange for releasing $16 billion in federal funds for the Hudson River rail tunnel project. According to CNN, Schumer informed Trump that he lacked the authority to approve such a request. The funds for the tunnel project were eventually released following a court order.