House Representative Greg Steube (R-FL) has rocked the political establishment by threatening to pull federal funding unless DC’s failing Metro system changes its name.
Specifically, the congressman has demanded that the system be rebranded as the “Trump Train.”
The bold move would also transform the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) into the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
Steube recently introduced the “Make Autorail Great Again Act,” which would block all federal funding to WMATA until it adopts the MAGA-inspired rebrand.
“WMATA takes $150M a year in federal funds and delivers nothing but delays, dysfunction, and decay. My bill blocks funding until WMATA is renamed WMAGA and the Metrorail becomes the TRUMP TRAIN,” the lawmaker stated.
The legislation takes direct aim at what many see as another example of government waste and inefficiency in the nation’s capital.
This is because billions in taxpayer dollars have yielded little improvement in service for commuters.
The straightforward proposal does not mince words about the transit authority’s failings.
Steube’s bill does not request infrastructure improvements or technology upgrades.
It just demands a complete overhaul starting with a name that would remind everyone who rides the system of President DonaldTrump’s commitment to American excellence.
By conditioning $144 million in annual federal funding on the name change, Steube is using financial leverage to force accountability on an agency long criticized for poor management.
The congressman’s frustration mirrors what many Americans feel about government agencies that receive consistent funding despite failing to deliver results.
WMATA has long faced criticism for operational problems, safety concerns, and fiscal mismanagement while continuing to receive substantial federal support.
“WMATA has received billions in federal assistance over the years and continues to face operational, safety, and fiscal challenges,” Steube said.
He added, “In the spirit of DOGE, this bill demands accountability by conditioning federal funding on reforms that signal a cultural shift away from bureaucratic stagnation toward public-facing excellence and patriotism.”
While the media has mocked the proposal, the legislation speaks directly to the frustrations of everyday Americans who watch their tax dollars disappear into government black holes with little improvement to show for it.
The millions the system receives in federal support annually account for roughly 6% of its fiscal year 2026 budget.
Despite this substantial taxpayer investment, riders continue to experience service disruptions and safety concerns.
WMATA officials claim the system has experienced 47 consecutive months of ridership growth, with over 800,000 daily trips, and projects a $20 million revenue increase by fiscal year 2026.
However, these positive statistics do not tell the full story of an agency that has struggled with basic operational competence.
The declining customer satisfaction for Metrobus and MetroAccess services further highlights the system’s failures.
“Like any struggling institution, WMATA needs a fresh identity that aligns with efficiency, service quality, and renewed public trust. These new names serve as a bold rallying point for much-needed reform,” Steube declared.
