President Joe Biden made a much-anticipated two-hour visit to East Palestine, Ohio, on Friday before jetting off to the beaches of Delaware, his most frequent destination for weekend getaways.
More than a year ago, a train south of Norfolk derailed in East Palestine, leaking toxic chemicals into the community. After the disaster, Biden promised to visit the town “someday” on February 3, 2023. More than a year after he promised to visit, Biden stopped by the area for two hours to meet with officials and first responders and address them about the disaster. (Related: Biden finally visits East Palestine to avoid derailing campaign)
“Let me be clear, in part because of God's work, this was an act of greed that was 100% preventable,” Biden said in a speech Friday. “Let me say it again: an act of greed that was 100% preventable. We are calling on the railroads to take more precautions, address the destruction, and address anything that has not been addressed. Norfolk Southern failed to meet that responsibility.”
During his visit to the region, Biden met with East Palestine first responders, business owners and East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway.
Protesters lined part of the street.@POTUSArrived in East Palestine. pic.twitter.com/t7yiF6j9nz
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) February 16, 2024
As part of the visit, Biden was briefed by various officials on the response and recovery efforts occurring in their communities. The President announced six grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund research into the short- and long-term effects of disasters. Biden pledged that his administration would support communities until their recovery efforts are complete.
Months after the disaster, and after several administration officials visited the site, Biden issued an executive order requiring the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to appoint a disaster recovery coordinator to oversee the town's recovery. . The Department of Justice (DOJ) then filed a lawsuit against Norfolk Southern Airlines in March as part of the administration's commitment to hold the airline accountable.
“We accomplished in one year what collectively would take years, and we will continue to do so,” Biden said Friday.
After the White House announced that Biden would finally visit East Palestine, residents in the region had mixed reactions to the news.
“I'm not concerned at this point,” community resident Tammy Tsai told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “I mean, he couldn't even pronounce the name of our town. It might not be a big deal, but maybe someone should have told him that sooner. Maybe he can't pronounce it by now. would have fixed it. But it shows how little he knew what was going on.”
Biden departed on his way to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, after stopping in Ohio. In 2023, the president spent 37% of his year vacationing at either his Delaware mansion, vacation spot, or Camp David. according to To the New York Post report.
Dr. Rick Tsai, a resident of East Palestine, told the Daily Caller of Biden's brief visit, “I didn't expect anything from him, so it was expected.” “He had to come here because this was an election year. Let's just leave it at that. We weren't forgotten. Everyone was like, 'We're not forgotten.' “It was,” he says. We were not forgotten. He knew we would always be here. We have been abandoned. ”
