Sec Sean Duffy Puts Blue Cities’ Transit Systems On Notice Unless Safety Concerns Are Addressed

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy threatened to pull federal funding from Chicago and Boston’s transit systems if they don’t address rampant crime plaguing their stations and buses.

Duffy sent letters to both cities’ transit authorities demanding written reports within 14 days that detail their plans to combat crime, stop fare evasion, and clean up their systems. The secretary called out local leaders for prioritizing criminals over law-abiding riders and workers, according to the Department of Transportation’s press release.

“President Trump cares about our great cities and the hardworking Americans who inhabit them,” Duffy said. “While local leaders seem intent on putting the needs of criminals first, we’re not waiting for the next Iryna.”

The warning comes after violent attacks on both systems. A 27-year Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) veteran was recently punched and thrown onto the tracks after leaving his customer service booth in Chicago. In Boston, an elderly woman was shoved off an MBTA bus and seriously injured, while another incident saw a man remove his belt on a bus and assault riders, authorities said. (RELATED: INGERSOLL: Lovely Iryna Is A Silent Sacrifice At The Altar Of Deranged Liberal ‘Empathy’)

📺@cbschicago: @SecDuffy threatens to pull funding from the Chicago Transit Authority over safety concerns. Clean up your city or lose funding! pic.twitter.com/r5dhhvEFzV

— USDOT Rapid Response (@USDOTRapid) September 20, 2025

Both Democratic-run cities operate cashless bail systems, which Duffy said allows “deranged criminals to repeatedly terrorize public spaces.”

Chicago and Boston run the country’s third and fourth largest public transportation systems by ridership. Federal Transit Administrator Marc Molinaro backed Duffy’s ultimatum, stating “We’re making transit safe again.”

The letters require both agencies to report on their security funding sources for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, including any Department of Homeland Security funds. Duffy previously sent similar warnings to transit authorities in Washington D.C., New York, and Los Angeles about safety failures and fare evasion.