The Department of Transportation will investigate the Charlotte transit system after the tragic murder of Iryna Zarutska on the Lynx Blue Line last month, Secretary Sean Duffy announced Monday.
The Transportation secretary said federal funding could be withheld from the city if safety failures are discovered.
The murder, which took place Aug. 22, received national attention over the weekend after surveillance footage was released showing repeat offender Decarlos Brown sitting behind the 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee before he pulls out a knife and begins the grisly attack.
"I stand firm with President Trump’s message of zero tolerance for criminality, especially on our federal DOT funded public transportation," Duffy said in a statement. "If mayors can’t keep their trains and buses safe, they don’t deserve the taxpayers’ money.
"I was moved by a Charlotte resident who said today: 'I don’t feel safe on public transportation. But, I have to work.' No American should be put in that position and the Trump administration will do everything in its power to change that," Duffy added.
I stand firm with President Trump’s message of zero tolerance for criminality, especially on our federal DOT funded public transportation.
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) September 9, 2025
If mayors can’t keep their trains and buses safe, they don’t deserve the
taxpayers’ money.@USDOT will be investigating Charlotte over… https://t.co/S5xmooTlF5
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Leftist policies allowing rampant crime are EVIL. Iryna Zarutska would still be here today had her killer, who was previously arrested 14 times, remained LOCKED UP.
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) September 9, 2025
The absolute lawlessness infesting public transit is unacceptable. Under @POTUS’ leadership, the Trump… pic.twitter.com/1UjwW8Waon
.@USDOT will investigate and make sure ZERO tax dollars go to soft-on-crime transit systems that allow horrific tragedies like what happened in Charlotte, North Carolina.
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) September 9, 2025
Murders on public transit like that of Iryna Zarutska should never be allowed to happen again. pic.twitter.com/df2UmovHV9
Separately, FBI Director Kash Patel said his agency has been investigating the killing "from day one."
🚨 The FBI has been investigating the Charlotte train murder from day one.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) September 9, 2025
Stay tuned.
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