EAST PALESTINE, OHIO: President Joe Biden finds himself under mounting criticism for his delay in visiting East Palestine, Ohio, following a devastating train disaster that occurred seven months ago.
Critics argue that the President's handling of crises, including the recent Maui wildfires and Hurricane Idalia, has raised questions about his leadership during difficult moments.
The tragedy in East Palestine dates back to February 3, when a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed, releasing a hazardous mix of toxic chemicals into the environment.
The incident led to evacuations, environmental concerns, and health problems among residents.
On February 16, Michael S Regan, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, visited the site to commend first responders and pledge the EPA's commitment to oversee the cleanup.
Joe Biden has no immediate plans to visit East Palestine
However, President Biden's response to this crisis has been a subject of controversy. Despite promising on March 2 to visit East Palestine, he has yet to make the trip, which has now been delayed for over 166 days.
Critics argue that this delay sends a concerning message about the administration's ability to handle emergencies effectively.
During a press conference on Saturday, September 2, as the President was preparing to depart for his family compound in Delaware from the hurricane-ravaged Florida, he addressed the issue of his delayed visit.
He cited a busy schedule, explaining, "I haven't had the occasion to go to East Palestine. There's a lot going on here, and I just haven't been able to break."
He also mentioned global travel arrangements, indicating that his international commitments have further complicated scheduling.
"I was thinking whether I'd go to East Palestine this week, but I was reminded I've got to go literally around the world," the president continued. "I'm going from Washington to India to Vietnam."
Despite these explanations, Biden admitted that there were no concrete plans for a visit to East Palestine in the near future.
He did, however, claim that efforts were being made to provide the town with the necessary resources to address its ongoing challenges.
"It's going to be a while, but we're making sure that East Palestine has what they need materially in order to deal with their problems," Biden added, as quoted by Fox News.
Backlash from JD Vance
Republican Senator JD Vance, who represents Ohio, responded to President Biden's comments with sarcasm, quipping, "Like ski trips and beach vacations? Yeah, you've been so busy."
This criticism aligns with reports that President Biden has spent a significant amount of time on personal overnight trips during his presidency, surpassing the vacation days taken by his predecessors.
"Joe Biden promised he would visit East Palestine. He has failed to keep that promise," Vance stated. "Not only has Joe Biden refused to visit East Palestine, but he has also refused to grant critical assistance to the recovery effort."
Comparatively, former President Donald Trump visited East Palestine just 19 days after the derailment, where he expressed sympathy for the victims and criticized President Biden's response.
Norfolk Southern train derailment
The aftermath of the train derailment has had lasting consequences for East Palestine. Dozens of fish were killed, half of the town's 5,000 residents were evacuated, and some remain hesitant to return due to concerns about drinking water contamination.
Norfolk Southern, the railroad company responsible for the disaster, estimated that the incident could cost them nearly $400 million in legal fees and cleanup expenses.
Residents have reported trace amounts of vinyl chloride in their systems, raising concerns about potential long-term health issues, including an increased risk of cancer.
While the railroad maintains that drinking water is safe, they have established funds for long-term drinking water protection, healthcare, and property value assistance for affected residents.
The state of Ohio has filed a lawsuit against the railroad operator, seeking compensation for damages to the state's environment, economy, and residents.
The Justice Department has also filed a federal suit, further highlighting the magnitude of the disaster's impact.
