Trump Issues Pointed Message to Biden Over Train Derailment Disaster

Former President Donald Trump On Wednesday, he traveled to East Palestine to see the scene of the train accident in East Palestine, Ohio. This was in an apparent attempt to win support in the district where he is strong, while also undercutting his main political rival, President Joe Biden.

The trip marks his first major out-of state foray since announcing his 2020 presidential campaign in November 2022.

OHIO TRAIN DERAILMENT : BIDEN CHECKS OUT ON EAST PALESTINE CLEANUP FROM POLAND

Trump won Columbiana County in East Palestine, where he received more than 70%. 2020 general electionYet, he trails Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), in many head-to-head Republican primaries polls. DeSantis has yet not announced his 2024 candidacy. Trump polls consistently as the top Republican in polls of a crowded primary field.

Trump’s campaign has confirmed the Washington Examiner That the former president would donate During Wednesday’s journey, thousands of bottles of water were emptied and cleaned. A number of cars carrying toxic gas vinyl chlorine were transported by a train derailment that occurred on February 4. This could have potentially affected the water supply in the surrounding areas.

Trent Conaway, East Palestine Mayor, and Sen. J.D. joined him there. Vance (R–OH), Rep. Bill Johnson, East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway, Sen. J.D.

Some MAGA vendors are also reported to have visited the town to support Trump’s visit. They plan to sell merchandise and donate profits to the recovery efforts.

Trump and his allies have used the incident to sharply criticize Biden’s Transportation Secretary and Biden’s policies. Pete ButtigiegHis handling of the cleanup was exemplary. He even claimed credit for some federal aid that was sent to the region.

“Biden and FEMA said they would not be sending federal aid to East Palestine. As soon as I announced that I’m going, he announced a team will go. Hopefully he will also be there,” He posted on Truth Social the weekend. “This is good news because we got them to ‘move.’ The people of East Palestine need help. I’ll see you on Wednesday!”

The Biden administration has consistently “failed” In its response efforts, the community of East Palestine has been assisting Trump’s trip. “will never forget” A former president’s advisor added that the people of the community were important.

Trump also attacked Biden because he traveled to Ukraine Poland Recent days have seen the decision to visit East Palestine instead of commemorating the first anniversary for the war in Ukraine.

While visiting East Palestine residents and delivering a direct message, Trump also sent it to Biden. “Get over here.”

In brief remarks the former president credited again the Biden administration’s decision not to send Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) responders to the area.

“When I announced I was coming, they changed their tune,” He said. “We opened up the dam and got them to move.”

He explained that he also believes in the importance of educating others. “most of” Trump-branded the water bottles, which were sourced from his hotels in recent days.

“Some of it we had to go to a much lesser quality water,” The Republican front-runner laughed. “You want to get those Trump bottles I think more than anybody else.”

Biden officials including Buttigieg were among them. White House Press secretary Karine Jean PierreSeveral people have suggested publicly that Trump’s efforts in reducing freight rail regulations could have contributed towards the derailment of East Palestine.

Allies shared those sentiments on social media. They focused on Trump’s decision not to repeal a Federal Railroad Administration rule that required high-hazard flammable trains in order to upgrade their brake systems during the Obama administration.

Many fact-checkers flagged these posts as misleading. The East Palestine train would have been exempted of the braking rule, since the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration had excluded vinyl chlor from its 70 component list designating high-hazard, flammable trains. Despite Trump taking significant steps to deregulationize the industry and overturning many labor safety-oriented regulations, the rule would not have applied.

Andrew Bates, White House spokesperson, stated Wednesday in a statement that the Trump administration was working with congressional Republicans. “owe East Palestine an apology for selling them out to rail industry lobbyists when they dismantled Obama-Biden rail safety protections as well as EPA powers to rapidly contain spills.”

“Congressional Republicans laid the groundwork for the Trump administration to tear up requirements for more effective train brakes, and last year most House Republicans wanted to defund our ability to protect drinking water,” Bates continued. “There is only one way they can prove that they are finally disowning their long history of giveaways to rail industry management at the expense of communities like East Palestine: Work across the aisle with us to put Obama-Biden protections back in place and go further, including with higher fines for rail pollution and properly equipping the EPA.”

Biden has sent FEMA and Department of Health and Human Services officials to East Palestine, to conduct health testing, after controlled fires were put out on February 6. EPA Michael Regan, Administrator FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was the highest ranking federal employee to visit the area. Regan and other EPA employees drank from the local tap Tuesday to demonstrate that the water was safe.

The Department of Transportation Norfolk Southern, the company that ran the derailment train, is being investigated by the department. The department stated Wednesday afternoon, however, that Buttigieg would be visiting East Palestine on Wednesday.

The EPA also announced Tuesday evening that Norfolk Southern had accepted to pay all costs of the cleanup and disposal.

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“This is common sense. This is their mess. They should clean it up,” The president made the statement in a statement.

“For years, elected officials, including the last admin, have limited our ability to implement and strengthen rail safety measures. Heck, many of the elected officials pointing fingers right now want to dismantle the EPA — the agency that is making sure this cleanup happens,” Biden continued. “Rail companies have spent millions of dollars to oppose commonsense safety regulations. And it’s worked. This is more than a train derailment or a toxic waste spill — it’s years of opposition to safety measures coming home to roost. We’ll continue to hold rail companies accountable when they fail to put safety first. But first, we’ve got Norfolk Southern’s mess to clean. I want affected residents to know that we’ve got your back. And as I said to your govs, they’ll have every resource that they need.”