U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Wrote Three Letters to D.C. Leaders

By: Miriam Edelman

On March 6, 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote letters to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Amtrak’s CEO, and WMATA’s CEO regarding improving transportation in the nation’s capital. The letters all focused on safety, continuing the federal government’s focus on safety in the District of Columbia. The letters were sent days after Bowser seemed to agree to end Black Lives Matter Plaza (BLM Plaza). DCNOW’s blog’s piece, entitled “D.C.’s Black Lives Matter Plaza Is No More,” discussed the eradication of BLM Plaza. Duffy’s letter to Bowser continues the federal government’s interference in local D.C. issues. Duffy’s letter to Amtrak is not really federal meddling, and his letter to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) relates to the federal government, as WMATA receives money from the federal government.

On March 6^th, the Transportation Department issued a press release, entitled “U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Urges D.C. Leaders to Improve Transportation Safety in our Nation’s Capital as Workers Return to Office.” The release described each of the letters:

-          “In the letter to Mayor Bowser, Secretary Duffy expressed concern with the District of Columbia’s compliance with various federal safety standards, including the safe and efficient operation of public roadways and the associated right-of-way. The Secretary has requested that the Mayor direct the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director to submit a written report within 30 days that identifies all potential areas of roadway non-compliance, locations of elevated risk impacting safety for the traveling public, and any proposed plans that may need to be reviewed as a result of these concerns. The Secretary emphasized the safety purpose of traffic control devices such as traffic signs, signals, and pavement markings, which is to warn or guide pedestrian and vehicular traffic—and not for other forms of expression.”

-          “Also, in a separate letter to Amtrak’s CEO Stephen Gardner, Secretary Duffy called on Amtrak to prevent crime and improve its management of Washington’s Union Station. The Department and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have also directed Amtrak to submit an updated Crime Prevention Plan within 30 days, including details about coordination with other law enforcement agencies and tracking of security expenditures. This is critical in light of a recent murder and violent assault, both within the past month. As FRA’s agent for station management, the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation oversees day-to-day operations, and Amtrak is expected to cooperate to enhance retail performance and protect the traveling public, allowing all stakeholders to focus on advancing state-of-good-repair projects.”

-          “In the letter to WMATA CEO Randy Clarke, Secretary Duffy highlighted the need to address fare evasion and reduce crime on the Washington Metro system to protect the safety and security of riders and workers. The letter directs the agency to provide information about practices, expenditures, and initiatives related to safety and security to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Secretary Duffy also asked CEO Clarke to provide specific information on safety and security programs and strategies and how they are funded. Federal law allows transit recipients to use both formula funds and capital grants for projects to combat crime and improve safety and security.”  

The release also quoted Duffy: 

“The President has called for people to return to office, and it is critical we ensure workers’ safety during their daily commute.”

“That is why I am taking action to direct those responsible for ensuring safety for passengers and workers in D.C. to make necessary improvements and upgrades. Our Nation’s Capital should be a beacon of safety and cleanliness for all who work, live, and visit. This includes reducing crime and fare evasion on the D.C. metro system and bus system to ensure people using public transit feel safe. Making D.C. safe again starts with restoring people’s faith in our transportation systems, and the Department of Transportation intends to use every resource at its disposal to restore public confidence and ensure a safe experience for the millions who visit and work in our capital.”

The release ends with:

“The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all those who travel in and through Washington, D.C. By directing local leaders to address critical safety concerns, uphold federal standards, and prioritize effective crime prevention measures, USDOT is reinforcing its oversight role in safeguarding public transportation systems. These actions underscore the Trump Administration’s broader efforts to enhance infrastructure, promote efficient mobility, and protect passengers, workers, and visitors in the Nation’s Capital. Moving forward, USDOT will continue to work closely with its partners to implement necessary improvements, ensuring a safe and reliable transportation network for all.” 

Duffy’s Letter to Bowser

Duffy’s letter to Bowser continued the federal government’s attacks on D.C. and attempts to divide D.C.’s elected leaders. Duffy began his letter with “I am writing to request your assistance in making Washington, D.C. safe and beautiful once again and restoring our pride in our Nation's Capital with a focus on safe travel within the District's transportation system.” As DCNOW’s blog’s piece, entitled “D.C. in 2024 Republican and Democratic Party Platforms,” discussed, the 2024 Republican Platform included “Make Washington D.C. the Safest and Most Beautiful Capital City”

Duffy criticized D.C.’s murals in his following second paragraph:

“I am concerned that some of DDOT's practices are not aligned with the goals of safe and efficient operation for all road users. For example, the application of murals or other forms of artwork within the traveled way can distract from the critical task of safe travel for everyone, including motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians; interfere with traffic control devices; and raise compliance concerns. These practices provide no demonstrated safety or operational purpose, adversely impact the effectiveness of other traffic control devices, and were installed intentionally to draw attention to their message rather than to promote the safety and mobility of road users and efficient use of the roadway in accordance with statute and regulation.”

In the past, Congress seemed to pit Bowser and the D.C. Council against each other. Duffy may have done something similar by contrasting Bowser and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). Duffy wrote “Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton's office recently contacted the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) about pedestrian safety in the District, further underscoring my concerns.”

Duffy’s letter to Bowser did not mention BLM Plaza. It was not clear to The Washington Post “what other murals or artwork on District roadways he [Duffy] viewed as a safety threat.”

Since 2019, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has operated the Arts in the Right-of-Way initiative. According to the program’s website,

“Structures and markings, including artwork, on the transportation network must be approved and permitted by DDOT. DDOT does not allow structures or markings of any kind on sidewalks or roadways that may interfere with the intended purpose and effectiveness of the transportation network.”

Guidelines and applications for this program are found on https://public-space-activation-dcgis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/arow-resources.

According to two recent studies, street art leads to roads being safer, seemingly contradicting Duffy’s assertions about street art. According to the “Asphalt Art Safety Study: Historical Crash Analysis and Observational Behavioral Assessment at Asphalt Art Sites” of April 2022, street art often entails “roadway safety improvements” and

“is often also intended to improve safety by increasing visibility of pedestrian spaces and crosswalks, promoting a more walkable public realm, and encouraging drivers to slow down and be more alert for pedestrians and cyclists, the most vulnerable users of the road.”

The study discusses the following increase in safety after art was installed: “50% decrease in the rate of crashes involving pedestrians or other vulnerable road users,” “37% decrease in the rate of crashes leading to injuries,” and “17% decrease in the total crash rate.” In addition, it mentions the following positive results after art installations: “25% decrease in pedestrian crossings involving a conflict with drivers,” “27% increase in frequency of drivers immediately yielding to pedestrians with the right of way,” and “38% decrease in pedestrians crossing against the walk signal.”

The University of New Mexico’s 2022 report, entitled “The Impact of Murals on Traffic Safety: A Behavior and Crash Analysis,” analyzed changes in the numbers and speeds of motor vehicles after mural installations in Albuquerque, NM, and Philadelphia, PA. It stated

“The behavioral analysis suggested that the Albuquerque mural may have slowed vehicle speed in the short term while long-term vehicle speeds increased. The crash analyses of Philadelphia murals indicated that there were significant decreases in crashes after mural installations. Findings suggested that crash frequency was more likely to decrease near murals that did not contain text.”

Chelsea Ritter-Soronen, whose local Chalk Riot Company created around 15 murals in the D.C. area, did not understand Duffy’s view that art puts travelers in harm’s way. She said “All of the murals we’ve created are not only proven by data to lower traffic violence and protect drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, but are also in strict compliance with the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.” The Transportation Department that Duffy now heads created the manual during a prior Administration. Duffy’s complaints about street art appear to contradict the guidance.

In an opinion piece, entitled “Want safer streets? Paint them,” in The Washington Post from January 29, 2024, Janette Sadik-Khan, former commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, and Kate D. Levin, former commissioner of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, wrote:

“For the first time, federal guidelines explicitly include asphalt art projects as part of the roadway design tool kit that can be used on city streets. At last, cities have been given permission from the federal government to unlock their creative potential and roll out streets that engage the eye — and work better.”

According to these authors, street art

“provide street designs that cue drivers to slow down, provide people on foot more interesting places to walk and create new local landmarks. They can even be used to widen sidewalks without digging up streets, giving space back to the public and making the whole street safer.”

Duffy’s Letter to Gardner

Duffy’s letter to Gardner about safety in D.C.’s Union Station was not truly federal interference. Through the Federal Railroad Administration, the federal government owns Union Station. However, since Duffy’s letter is about crime, it represents yet another instance of federal government criticizing crime in the nation’s capital. In this letter, Duffy wrote:

“To maintain and protect the station for multimodal passengers, promote the customer experience, and serve the surrounding community, Amtrak must take all necessary steps to reduce and prevent crime at Washington Union Station.”

Duffy’s Letter to Clarke

Duffy’s letter to Clarke focused on crime and fare evasion. His second sentence was:

“To protect the safety of passengers and workers on the D.C. Metro system, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) must ensure crime and fare evasion are reduced.”

As the federal government is a stakeholder in WMATA, Duffy’s letter is not federal government interference. WMATA’s Board of Directors includes eight voting and eight alternate directors. Maryland, the nation’s capital, Virginia, and the federal government each have two voting and two alternate directors.

Closing Thoughts

The federal government has more important things to address than Washington, D.C. D.C. residents should govern themselves.