In his letter to Mayor Bowser, Secretary Duffy said that he was concerned about murals that could, “distract from the critical task of safe travel for everyone.”

By Ittai Sopher WUSA9 March 7, 2025

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy took aim at the District on Thursday, writing letters to the CEOs of Amtrak, WMATA and Mayor Muriel Bowser calling out what he described as distracting and unsafe conditions on city roads and transportation systems. 

In his letter to Mayor Bowser, Secretary Duffy said that he was concerned about public murals, saying they could, “distract from the critical task of safe travel for everyone.”

“I request you direct the DDOT director to submit a written report to me within 30 days that identifies all potential areas of roadway non-compliance,” Secretary Duffy said. 

The letter comes two days after Mayor Bowser said she would change the name of Black Lives Matter Plaza and remove the BLM mural along 16th Street Northwest, which had been dedicated in the summer of 2020 amid nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd.

A spokesperson for Mayor Bowser said Thursday night that the mayor had no comment about Secretary Duffy’s letter to her office, which also expressed concerns over D.C.’s roadways, calling for the DC Department of Transportation to identify locations of elevated risk for pedestrians and drivers. MPD data shows traffic fatalities are down 67% compared to this time last year.

Secretary Duffy’s letter to WMATA CEO and General Manager Randy Clarke focused on crime on the Metro. 

“I am writing to you regarding the U.S. Department of Transportation’s focus on safe travel in the Nation’s Capital,” Secretary Sean Duffy said in his letter to WMATA on Thursday. “To protect the safety of passengers and workers on the D.C. Metro system, WMATA must ensure crime and fare evasion are reduced.” 

Secretary Duffy also posted a video on social media featuring clips from local news segments, including from WUSA9, reporting on crime on the Metro. 

“Americans deserve to feel safe, especially in our nation’s capital,” Duffy wrote on social media. “That’s why I’m calling on Mayor Bowser and D.C. leaders to crack down on crime in our transit system.”   

GM Clarke, who had launched a fare enforcement plan in December 2024, thanked the secretary for the letter, saying there was still work to be done to improve Metro trains and busses. 

“We are committed to continuous improvements and look forward to working with our federal partners including the DC Attorney General, to enhance America’s Metro System,” General Manager Clarke said on Thursday. 

Metro Transit Police data shows crimes like aggravated assaults and robberies are down, but fare evasions have almost doubled compared to this time last year.

The secretary also wrote to Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, asking the railroad executive to consider allowing more federal law enforcement inside Union Station to prevent crime. 

“Amtrak should also consider expanding its coordination to include other federal security agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security,” Secretary Duffy said, adding that Amtrak should submit a crime prevention plan within 30 days. 

Amtrak provided WUSA9 the following statement Friday afternoon.

“We appreciate and agree with Secretary Duffy’s interest in a safe and clean Washington Union Station. Important customer experience and security upgrades are already underway thanks to the U.S. District Court recently granting Amtrak the right to take control of the management and operations of the station. We’ll outline our progress and plans in our response to the Secretary.”

Secretary Duffy’s letter comes as the President Donald Trump administration and Republicans in Congress continue to criticize D.C. and have threatened to withhold federal funding from the District and even take away D.C. Home Rule, the law that allows District residents to elect a mayor and city council. 

On Wednesday night, President Trump posted on social media calling on Mayor Bowser to remove homeless encampments around the District. 

“If she is not capable of doing so, we will be forced to do it for her!” Trump said. “Washington, D.C. must become CLEAN and SAFE.”