Following a significant railroad crash that resulted in a toxic leak that is having an impact on the neighborhood, President Joe Biden justified his choice to forgo a visit to East Palestine, Ohio, this month.
An overheated wheel bearing on the 23rd of 149 rail cars contributed to the tragic February 3 train crash in the small Ohio town. In an effort to avoid a large explosion from happening, local authorities initiated a controlled burn of the vinyl chloride that the train was carrying after evacuating all homes within one mile of the accident.
In an interview with ABC News anchor David Muir that aired on Friday, Biden made the comments.
“Do you intend to go there, and if so, have you spoken to the mayor?” Muir queried.
“I don’t remember if I’ve spoken to the mayor, but I don’t think so.” Biden asserted, “I’ve spoken to everyone else there. I’ve spoken to everyone there numerous times, including both senators and governors, and we made it obvious that everything is available.”
Muir then questioned Biden about remarks made by the mayor of East Palestine regarding Biden’s choice to visit a foreign nation rather than a U.S. community.
“The hazardous train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, happened three weeks ago. You are aware that the mayor claims to have seen you in Ukraine,” Muir replied. “And he claims that shows you he doesn’t care about us. They are asking if the president is going to visit Ohio.”
“Do you intend to visit Ohio at all? Muir queried. And have you spoken to the mayor already?”
Biden says he “can’t recall” if he spoke to the mayor of East Palestine, Ohio, within the past three weeks. pic.twitter.com/kvVbtlmaUQ
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 25, 2023
“Let’s consider this in context. The EPA arrived there within two hours after the derailment,” according to Biden. “Every significant US government agency that has ever dealt with rail or cleanup was and is still present.”
