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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg finally visited eastern Palestine on Thursday, 20 days after the train derailment that left the Ohio community reeling and begging for answers from the Biden administration.
The former mayor got tough while touring the site with investigators, a day after Donald Trump told locals they had been betrayed by the federal government.
Buttigieg has faced intense backlash from both Republicans and Democrats for his slow response to the disaster that has raised fears that the release of toxic chemicals will cause long-term illness.
He spoke to National Transportation Safety Board investigators at the side of the tracks, 24 hours after Trump handed out food and water to residents and praised the courage of first responders.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg finally visited East Palestine on Thursday, 20 days after the train derailment that left the Ohio community reeling and begging for answers from the Biden administration.
In a tweet Thursday morning, Buttigieg wrote: “I’m in East Palestine, Ohio this morning to see the Norfolk Southern derailment site, hear updates from investigators and meet first responders.” USDOT will continue its work to ensure safety and accountability.’
Faced with mounting criticism, Buttigieg has blamed the Trump administration and rail companies for undermining safety regulations that he says led to the accident.
Earlier this week, before he announced Thursday’s visit, a reporter for the Daily Caller confronted him on the street.
He confirmed that he would go and then tried to take a photo of journalist Jennie Taer walking through Washington DC with her husband Chasten.
“Well, I would recommend a dozen interviews that I’ve given today and if you want to set up a conversation, be sure to contact our press office,” Buttigieg replied.
He indicated that he was not going to “have that conversation with you just walking down the street here.”
Don’t have a message for them? the reporter asked, as the two walked and talked near the Capitol.
“I do and have shared it with the press many times today and I refer you to those comments,” Buttigieg responded.
When the reporter pressed him again, he refused, saying: ‘No, I’m going to refer you to the comments I made to the press because right now I’m taking personal time and I’m walking down the street.’
She asked him if he would visit eastern Palestine, something he had revealed on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Tuesday.
After a pause, Buttigieg admitted, “Yes, I’m going,” but refused to give a deadline.
So Buttigieg, who often represents the administration in combative interviews on Fox News and with other outlets, asked the reporter: ‘Can I take a picture of you?’
The reporter agreed. she later posted a video of the meeting On twitter.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg asked to take a photo of a reporter after a brief interview while walking with her husband Chasten.
The intense shock spewed toxic chemicals into the air, soil and water and has led nearby residents to complain of headaches and other symptoms. Eastern Palestine was evacuated two days after the derailment
On Wednesday, Trump told residents of eastern Palestine that they are victims of “betrayal” by President Biden and the federal government, saying his visit finally spurred them to action.
The former president greeted crowds angry at the White House’s inaction 19 days after the Ohio disaster, bringing thousands of bottles of his own water, cleaning supplies and canned food.
He then stopped at a local McDonald’s where he ordered Big Macs for first responders and his team members, and handed out autographed MAGA caps to customers.
I know this menu better than you. I probably know it better than anyone here,’ he told the waiter and demanded that they ‘remove it fast’ so he could eat it on the plane.
Hundreds of people lined the streets waving MAGA flags and chanting ‘no more Joe’ to greet Trump after he landed in the community in his refurbished Trump Force One jet.
In a speech at the local fire department, he praised the response of law enforcement and the “strength and courage” of residents, saying: “They are not forgotten.”
He vowed to return if the community did not receive help from the White House, and when asked by a reporter what message he had for Biden, Trump said: “Come here.”
His visit coincided with the release of a Norfolk Southern statement saying they would take “full responsibility” for the derailment.
Trump then stopped at a local McDonald’s where he ordered Big Macs for first responders and his team members, and handed out signed MAGA hats to patrons.
Trump stands next to a platform for his branded water in eastern Palestine. He brought trucks of his own supplies during his visit to the site of the toxic train derailment.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg finally visited East Palestine on Thursday, 20 days after the train derailment that left the Ohio community reeling and begging for answers from the Biden administration.