Trump administration forces Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner to resign

In the United States, Stephen Gardner, who had been serving as the CEO of Amtrak since January 2022, resigned this week amid pressure from the Trump administration. His resignation was made public on March 20, 2025, and Gardner stated that his immediate departure was to ensure that Amtrak maintained the confidence of the current administration. He had been with the railroad company since 2009 and faced significant challenges recently, such as delays in the delivery of new high-speed Avelia Liberty trains, which were set to begin service in the spring. Despite his resignation, Amtrak reported an all-time record ridership for the fiscal year 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, with 32.8 million customer trips and $2.5 billion in ticket revenue, indicating a recovery since the severe drops experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the future remains uncertain with suggestions from Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, to privatize Amtrak. Musk had described the company as somewhat embarrassing when compared to rail systems in other countries, highlighting ongoing discussions about the appropriateness of a federally-run passenger railroad since its establishment in 1971. The resignation comes at a time when Amtrak seeks to enhance its operations and resolve safety concerns, especially at Washington's Union Station where crime and homelessness have become pressing issues. While Gardner’s departure marks a significant change in leadership, the exact implications for Amtrak's future, including the potential privatization, are still unfolding.