President Biden plans to visit East Palestine in February to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the tragic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, a White House official confirmed to Fox News Digital.
Biden was heavily criticized for not visiting the community at the time of the incident and in the weeks and months that followed. The official said Biden will discuss his administration’s “comprehensive, whole-of-government response” to ensuring rail safety.
Earlier this month, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked if there were still plans for President Biden to visit East Palestine, Ohio. “The president will visit when it is most beneficial for the region,” she told reporters.
Mr. Fox reached out to East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway to ask when would be the most beneficial time, and Mr. Conaway told Mr. Fox, “In my personal opinion, the best time for him to come.” “This will be February 2025, which is written in the book.” trip. “
East Palestinian residents furious at Biden for not yet visiting site of massive train derailment: ‘We are not okay’
President Biden plans to visit East Palestine in February to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the tragic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, a White House official confirmed to Fox News Digital. (Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“The president is always welcome in our town,” Conaway told Fox, adding, “That being said, I don’t know what he’s going to do here right now.”
East Palestinian residents experience wounds, stomach pains and shortness of breath since train derailment
Several other East Palestinian residents spoke out against Biden in September, citing his failure to visit the town. Local residents Courtney Miller, DJ Yokeley and Jamie Wallace spoke with “FOX & Friends” guest host Dr. Nicole Safia about what they’ve endured since the disaster, which spewed toxic chemicals and raised health and environmental concerns. He talked about the struggle he had faced.
Local residents in Ohio criticized Biden for not visiting after a train derailment spewed toxic chemicals and raised health and environmental concerns. ((AP Photo/Jean J. Pasker))
Biden claimed in September that he simply didn’t have time to visit Ohio because of his busy schedule.
“I still can’t take my children to East Palestine. I’m still afraid of what it will cause,” Miller told Safia about her situation.
She added that most of her acquaintances in the area “ended up getting sick,” and said they had been staying at a motel near town since the derailment.
Officials reveal behind-the-scenes decision to release toxic chemicals after East Palestine train derailment
“I still don’t feel comfortable,” she continued. “And I don’t want to take my kids to something that obviously Biden wouldn’t want to show up to.” [at]. ”
Biden’s lack of a visit was in contrast to former President Trump, who met with residents of East Palestine on February 22, 2023, just weeks after the incident. He was joined by Republican Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio.
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 22: Former President Donald Trump visits East Palestine, Ohio, on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, in response to the February 3 Norfolk Southern freight train derailment in East Palestine. , tour Little Beaver Creek and the water pump. Ohio. (Javin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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“You are not forgotten, we stand with you, we pray for you, and we stand with you and your fight and we stand with you,” Trump told the audience at the time. We will support them to ensure that they fulfill their responsibilities.” “Our communities have shown the tough and resilient spirit of America, and that’s what it is. This is America. We stand in America.”
FOX News’ Patrick Ward and Gabriel Hayes contributed to this report.
