NEW YORK — Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner abruptly resigned from his top post at the U.S. passenger railroad this week.

Wednesday’s announcement signaled that the leadership change came down to Amtrak maintaining support from President Donald Trump. Gardner said he was stepping down “to ensure that Amtrak continues to enjoy the full faith and confidence of this administration.”

A successor for Gardner was not named.

Gardner’s departure arrives weeks after billionaire Elon Musk floated the idea of privatizing Amtrak. Musk, who has been at the forefront of the Trump administration’s push to downsize the federal government, reportedly called Amtrak “kind of embarrassing” when comparing it to rails in other countries. — Associated Press