On Friday, September 19, 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a stern warning to the leaders of Chicago and Boston: improve public transit safety or risk losing crucial federal support. The message, delivered through formal letters and a public news release, comes in the wake of a string of violent incidents on two of the nation’s largest transit systems—the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).
Duffy did not mince words about what he views as a “failure” by local officials to protect both riders and transit workers. According to Fox News, he cited several recent attacks, including the assault of a 27-year CTA veteran who was punched and thrown onto the tracks, the shoving of an elderly woman off an MBTA bus, and a disturbing case in which a man used his belt to assault passengers. These incidents, highlighted in the Department of Transportation’s news release, have amplified growing concerns about safety on major urban transit networks.
“President Trump cares about our great cities and the hardworking Americans who inhabit them,” Duffy stated in his official remarks, as reported by Fox News. “While local leaders seem intent on putting the needs of criminals first, we’re not waiting for the next Iryna. Chicago and Boston are on notice to take actions that enhance safety and reduce the crime affecting their riders and transit workers – or risk federal support. This is about standing up for American families who deserve a safe and clean transportation system.”
Duffy’s comments reference the tragic case of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who was fatally attacked on a North Carolina light-rail train in August 2025. The incident, which made headlines nationwide and was discussed at a White House press briefing, has become a symbol of the urgent need for improved transit safety. Duffy’s invocation of Zarutska’s name underscored the administration’s resolve not to wait for another such tragedy before taking action.
In his formal letters to CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng, Duffy demanded written reports within 14 days. These reports must detail what steps have been taken to curb crime, stop fare evasion, and improve cleanliness on their respective systems. Additionally, the agencies are required to summarize their funding sources for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 related to safety and security, including any support from federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security.
“Chicago and Boston are on notice,” Duffy emphasized, warning that failure to act swiftly could result in the withdrawal of federal funding—a move that would have significant consequences for the operation and maintenance of these major transit systems. The letters represent the latest escalation in Duffy’s campaign to pressure local transit agencies to prioritize rider and worker safety.
Earlier this year, Duffy issued similar warnings to transit systems in Washington, New York, and Los Angeles, according to the Department of Transportation. These cities, like Chicago and Boston, have faced challenges with violent incidents, fare evasion, and public concerns over cleanliness and disorder on public transportation.
The specific incidents cited by Duffy paint a grim picture. The assault on the CTA veteran—an employee with nearly three decades of service—was particularly shocking, as the victim was punched and thrown onto the tracks. In Boston, an elderly woman was violently shoved off an MBTA bus on September 8, 2025. The suspect in that case was arrested on September 17, following a public appeal for assistance in identifying the perpetrator, as reported by MBTA Transit Police and Fox News Digital.
MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng responded to the incident with a strong statement. “Safety will always be at the forefront of everything we do, and I’m proud of the prompt response and investigation by the MBTA Transit Police that led to the arrest of this individual,” Eng said. “The public deserves a safe transportation system, and I want them to know that this conduct will not be tolerated anywhere on our system.” Eng also reminded riders that they could report concerns anonymously through the See Say app, underscoring the agency’s commitment to transparency and responsiveness.
Duffy’s criticism extended beyond specific incidents to broader policy issues. He singled out the cashless bail policies in both cities, arguing that they allow “deranged criminals to repeatedly terrorize public space.” This stance has sparked debate among local leaders and advocates, with some defending cashless bail as a necessary reform to reduce inequities in the justice system, while others argue it has contributed to a rise in repeat offenses on public transit and elsewhere.
The letters sent to the CTA and MBTA require detailed accounting not just of safety measures, but also of funding—specifically, how federal dollars and other resources are being used to address these challenges. By demanding transparency and accountability, Duffy is putting local agencies in a position where they must demonstrate concrete progress or risk losing federal support at a time when transit budgets are already under strain.
For commuters in both cities, the stakes are high. The CTA and MBTA together serve millions of riders each month, forming the backbone of urban mobility for Chicago and Boston. Any reduction in federal support could lead to service cuts, delays in infrastructure improvements, or even fare increases—outcomes that would hit working families especially hard.
So far, the CTA and MBTA have not issued formal responses to the Department of Transportation’s demands, according to Fox News Digital. However, the agencies are under intense pressure to act quickly, as the 14-day deadline for submitting their reports looms large. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Chicago and Boston can satisfy federal requirements and maintain the support they need to keep their transit systems running safely and efficiently.
As the national conversation around public safety and criminal justice reform continues, the clash between federal authorities and local transit agencies in Chicago and Boston is shaping up to be a defining moment. With millions of riders depending on these systems every day, the outcome of this standoff will have far-reaching implications—not just for transit policy, but for the broader debate over how to balance safety, justice, and the needs of urban communities.
For now, riders in both cities are left to watch and wait, hoping that decisive action will restore their confidence in the places they rely on to get to work, school, and home each day.
