DC Transit Police Officer Stabbed at Station as Sec. Sean Duffy Arrives to Discuss Safety: ‘Unacceptable’

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had a firsthand encounter with the kind of urban lawlessness plaguing American cities when a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) police officer was violently stabbed in the face—mere steps from where Duffy was preparing to engage the public on the critical issue of transit safety.

The attack occurred just outside the Navy Yard Metro Station, a major transit hub in southeast D.C., not far from the U.S. Capitol. According to Duffy, one of his staffers alerted him in real-time to the assault: an officer had just been slashed in the face with a sharp metal object by a suspect who evaded fare payment, a seemingly routine offense that rapidly escalated into a life-threatening encounter.

WMATA later confirmed to Fox News Digital that the officer sustained multiple lacerations and puncture wounds to the face. The suspect was apprehended by nearby officers, and the improvised weapon—a sharpened metal shard—was recovered at the scene.

This shocking episode is just the latest in a spike in transit-related violence that has affected major metro systems across the country. Data from the National Transit Database shows that violent crime on U.S. public transit has risen by nearly 24% since 2021, with assaults on transit workers and law enforcement officers becoming increasingly common. In Washington, D.C., the WMATA reported a 17% increase in violent crimes across its network in 2023, including stabbings, shootings, and robberies.

Secretary Duffy, clearly shaken but resolute, described the scene as “horrible” and extended his support to the officer and his family. “These acts of senseless violence are exactly why @USDOT is fighting to re-secure our transit systems and crack down on violent crime,” he said in a public statement shared on social media.

Duffy wasted no time meeting with WMATA police officers at the scene. He later announced plans to meet with WMATA CEO Randy Clarke to discuss the incident and broader security strategies. Photos released by the Department of Transportation show Duffy standing alongside local officers, offering reassurance and solidarity. He also revealed that the injured officer was “in good spirits” and being treated for his injuries.

Duffy’s security detail provided immediate first aid following the stabbing, underscoring the chaos and urgency that unfolded in a matter of seconds.

The stabbing has intensified scrutiny of urban safety, especially in Democratic-run cities where progressive policies on criminal justice reform have often translated into reduced penalties for fare evasion, vagrancy, and even assault. Critics argue these leniencies contribute directly to repeat-offender violence, such as the attack witnessed by Duffy.

“This is a wake-up call,” Duffy said. “Our officers put their lives on the line every day just to keep our transit systems operational. Zero-tolerance must be the policy when it comes to violence against law enforcement.”

Duffy’s response echoes the broader conservative view that public safety must take precedence over political correctness and leniency. In recent years, liberal policies across urban transit systems—from New York City to San Francisco—have decriminalized fare evasion, cut back on visible policing, and downplayed violent incidents. The result, say critics, has been a marked decline in public confidence in transit safety.

Duffy’s actions after the attack weren’t just symbolic—they were strategic and policy-driven. He reaffirmed the DOT’s commitment to enforcing new safety protocols, including:

• Expanding the deployment of transit police and security personnel across federal transportation systems.

• Exploring federal grant incentives for local transit authorities that implement crime-reduction technology, such as facial recognition cameras and AI surveillance.

• Working with Congress to repeal regulations that tie the hands of local authorities in dealing with violent or repeat offenders on public transit.

His stance comes as violent attacks against transit workers have surged nationwide. According to the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, assaults on bus drivers and rail operators increased by over 30% between 2020 and 2023. In some cities, union leaders have warned of worker shortages due to safety concerns and burnout.

The public response to the Navy Yard stabbing has been swift and emotional. Social media users expressed outrage, many pointing fingers at lax urban law enforcement and demanding greater accountability from city leadership. “Our capital’s transit system has become unsafe. This isn’t just about one incident—it’s about a pattern,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Meanwhile, conservative commentators have praised Duffy for being “on the ground, engaged, and fearless” in addressing what they view as a long-neglected issue. “This is exactly the kind of leadership we need—someone who doesn’t just talk about crime from behind a desk but actually shows up,” said a post on The Daily Signal.

Duffy’s office has also received support from law enforcement organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police, which issued a statement condemning the attack and calling for tougher penalties on anyone who assaults a transit officer.

Duffy has made it clear: this incident is not being brushed aside as just another crime statistic. It is, in his words, a “call to action” to reclaim America’s transit systems from lawlessness and disorder. “Our citizens deserve to ride buses and trains without fear. Our officers deserve to go home safe. We will not stand down.”

The Secretary’s proactive measures and swift response have reignited the national debate on how best to tackle urban crime, transit security, and law enforcement support. While the injured officer recovers and the suspect awaits charges, the broader fight for safety in America’s public spaces continues—with Duffy firmly on the front lines.