‘Failure wasn’t an option here’: How Biden navigated a political and economic minefield at a critical moment in rail negotiations

As the marathon meeting between rail industry and union representatives neared its 12th hour, the moment Biden administration officials viewed as equal parts inevitable and essential was set into motion.

It was time for President Joe Biden to call in and underscore the stakes. Biden’s message was consistent with the one he’d delivered in private calls over the course of the last several weeks, sources said, but an urgency framed around just how devastating a rail shutdown would be for the country was palpable.

It would be another eight hours...