Biden claims he’s been TOO busy to visit East Palestine in Ohio after toxic train crash 212 days ago left town with polluted air and contaminated water – and admits he STILL has no plans to visit Republican state
President Joe Biden said he has been too busy to visit eastern Palestine after the Ohio train disaster as criticism mounts over the president’s ability to handle moments of crisis.
Biden has faced criticism over his handling of the Maui wildfires in the past two weeks, as he was dismissed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Saturday during a visit after Hurricane Idalia.
On Sunday it will be exactly seven months since the catastrophe of February 3. The commander-in-chief was sent back in February as he awaited a visit, finally promising on March 2 that he would.
On Saturday, as he prepared to leave Idalia-ravaged Florida for his family home in Delaware, he was again asked why he hadn’t been there, 166 days after he promised to do so.
“I have not had the opportunity to go to eastern Palestine. There’s a lot going on here, and I just haven’t managed to break,” Biden said at a news conference.
President Joe Biden said he has been too busy to visit the East Palestine, Ohio train disaster as criticism mounts over the president’s ability to handle moments of crisis
He then tried to suggest that the 80-year-old was thinking about it lately, but he just couldn’t find the time to get around global travel arrangements.
“I was thinking about going to Eastern Palestine this week, but I was reminded that I literally have to go around the world,” the president continued. “I’m going from Washington to India to Vietnam.”
He then admitted that there were no concrete plans to visit the city in GOP-run Ohio anytime soon.
“It will take some time, but we are making sure that Eastern Palestine gets what they need materially to address their problems,” Biden added.
Republican Senator JD Vance, who represents the state, responded sarcastically to a video of Biden’s comments.
‘Like ski trips and beach holidays? Yes, you’ve been so busy,” he joked. In June, it was reported that Biden, the oldest president in US history, is on track to take more vacations than any other commander-in-chief.
In fact, Biden spent 382 days of the 957 days of his presidency — or 40% — on personal overnight stays outside the White House, according to a report from the New York Post.
This beats George HW Bush, who spent 36% of his presidency off duty, and Trump who spent 26% of his term on personal travel from Washington.
Sunday will mark exactly seven months since the catastrophe of February 3 that shook the world
A drone photo shows parts of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed
The commander-in-chief was sent back in February because he was waiting for a visit, finally promising on March 2 that he would
Ohio Senator JD Vance criticized Biden for going on vacation while visiting eastern Palestine
Speaking just days ago, Vance berated the president for not yet planning a scheduled visit to the city.
Joe Biden promised to visit eastern Palestine. He failed to deliver on that promise,” Vance said. “Joe Biden has not only refused to visit eastern Palestine, but he has also refused to provide critical assistance to the recovery effort.”
Infamously, Biden’s predecessor, former President Donald Trump, visited the city just 19 days after the derailment, calling the victims of a “betrayal” by President Biden.
Biden did not visit Maui for more than two weeks after the devastating wildfires that devastated parts of the island and killed at least 115 people.
On February 3, a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed, releasing large amounts of toxic chemicals into the air, water and soil, necessitating evacuations as residents feared for their health. Some complained of headaches and other symptoms.
On Feb. 16, Environmental Protection Agency administrator Michael S. Regan traveled to the derailment site to thank first responders for their work and assure the EPA would have “boots on the ground” during the cleanup process.
Dozens of fish were killed, half of eastern Palestine’s 5,000 inhabitants were evacuated and some have never returned for fear that drinking water has been contaminated.
Norfolk Southern said in April that the freight train derailment, which released millions of gallons of toxic chemicals in the small Ohio town, could cost the company nearly $400 million in legal and clean-up costs.
A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of part of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains days after the derailment
Regulators say Norfolk Southern has made improvements since a fiery derailment in Ohio, but still falls far short of being the ‘gold standard for safety’
Several residents said urinalysis tests revealed at least trace amounts of vinyl chloride in their systems, raising fears about potential long-term health problems, including an increased risk of cancer.
The state of Ohio took the railroad company to court in March, seeking damages for damage to the state’s environment, economy and residents
Infamously, Biden’s predecessor, former President Donald Trump, visited the city just 19 days after the derailment, calling the victims of a “betrayal” by President Biden.
Trump stands next to a pallet of his branded water in eastern Palestine. He brought trucks of his own supplies on his visit to the toxic train derailment site
Several residents said urinalysis tests revealed at least trace amounts of vinyl chloride in their systems, raising fears about potential long-term health problems, including an increased risk of cancer.
The railway says tests show public drinking water is safe, though they are establishing a fund for long-term drinking water protection.
It also sets up funds for health care and to help sellers if the value of their property falls as a result of the accident.
The state of Ohio took the railroad company to court in March, seeking damages for damage to the state’s environment, economy and residents. The Justice Department has also filed a federal suit.