After East Palestine, which way on Pete Buttigieg?

SOver his handling of the East Palestine, Ohio mess, many Republicans have called for the resignation of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. On Feb. 3, a train that was carrying 38 cars derailment caused a chemical leakage, which led to a controlled burn and temporary evacuation of the town of nearly 5,000. There were also disputes about possible soil or air contamination.

Some Republicans sponsored legislation to give Buttigieg unprecedented power as a response to the same problem. Although it might seem counterproductive to do both, some GOP officials have done so.

Senator Marco Rubio (R.FL) sent a protest letter, urging President Joe Biden to “request the immediate resignation of U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Buttigieg, who has repeatedly demonstrated a gross level of incompetence and apathy that is detrimental to the safety and prosperity of the American people.”

Sen. Josh Hawley (Republican from Missouri) was more concise. He tweeted the news clip featuring a Buttigieg tin-eared saying. “Look, I was mayor of my hometown for eight years. We dealt with a lot of disasters,” You replied with a simple, “Resign.”

Rubio, Hawley and Sen. J.D. are also co-sponsors of legislation. Vance (R.OH) has cosponsored legislation that critics claim would give Buttigieg’s successors nearly sun god-like control over the railroads. Along with the Sens, Rubio, Hawley and Vance introduced the Railway Safety Act of 2023. People who have never heard of Sherrod Brown (D.OH), John Fetterman and Bob Casey (D.PA) will probably not find this bill so radical.