CNN's Jake Tapper sat down with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Monday., I asked why President Joe Biden won't visit East Palestine, Ohio.
A train derailed in southern Norfolk on February 3rd., 2023, In East Palestine, 49 rail cars were involved in a collision, 11 of which were carrying hazardous chemicals that leaked into surrounding areas. Biden told reporters last March that he intended to visit the area someday, but he has not yet done so.
“Speaking of the president, he has yet to visit East Palestine, Ohio. I don't know why that is, but it doesn't seem to mean much to me,” Tapper said. “But if pressure was needed on Congress to make this happen, why would he go to East Palestine and use his bully pulpit to force Congress to do what Harry S. Truman would do? They're not going to embarrass it into passing. Why can't they even do that?'' Is this an idea the White House would consider? ”
“I don't have an update on the White House's timeline, but what I can tell you is that Congress doesn't need to do much more than what has already happened in order to act,” Buttigieg said. “I don’t see why we have to convince anyone to do something that members of both parties say they have an interest in, which is to make railroads safer.” (Related: Chris Cuomo delivers tough message to Biden after visiting toxic train derailment site)
Buttigieg said the responsibility lies with Congress, not the Biden administration, which has done its part to improve rail safety.
The White House has repeatedly insisted that Biden will visit East Palestine, even though he has not yet done so, leaving some residents feeling slighted. (Related: 'It's political for him': White House claims Joe Biden will visit East Palestine, but residents are still waiting)
Jessica Conrad told the New York Times after Biden traveled to Michigan for a strike with the United Auto Workers union but was unable to find time to visit East Palestine, “I felt like it had nothing to do with me.'' I will,” he said.
Former President Donald Trump visited the area in February and donated pallets of water and cleaning supplies to help affected residents.
