President Biden visited East Palestine, Ohio, on Friday, where officials spoke about the challenges facing the rural village following a dangerous train derailment that released more than 1 million gallons of toxic chemicals into the environment. We’re focusing on that.” The president has not visited the area for more than a year after the disaster.
“Mr. President, I want to empower this community,” Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan said after officials toured the recovery site from the Feb. 3, 2023, derailment of dozens of Norfolk Southern rail cars. Thank you for your support.”
The president has been heavily criticized by Republicans and local residents for not visiting the rural Ohio village in Columbiana County on the Pennsylvania border in the weeks and months that followed.
As a result, many residents on both sides of the border have fled their homes and are suffering from various illnesses. The Atlanta-based railroad has been making payments to residents who were forced to relocate, but announced in December that financial aid would end on Feb. 9.
Ohio railroad worker crushed to death by remote-controlled train
President Biden will speak Friday after touring an East Palestine reconstruction site in East Palestine, Ohio, more than a year after a freight train derailment caused an environmental disaster in the village. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Thirty-eight Norfolk Southern cars derailed and 10 more were damaged by fire, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
“Let me be clear, there is an act of God, but this was an act of greed that was 100% preventable,” Biden said Friday. “Norfolk Southern has failed in its responsibility.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the railroad company.
Norfolk Southern Airlines said it spent about $1.1 billion responding to the derailment. The company announced it has invested $103.2 million in the community, including $21 million distributed to residents.
President Biden speaks while touring an East Palestine recovery site in East Palestine, Ohio, on Friday, more than a year after a freight train derailment caused an environmental disaster in the village. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
In his speech, Biden announced six grants to the National Institutes of Health to study the short- and long-term effects of “what happened here.”
East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway said the community refuses to be defined by a single event. He called for bipartisan federal rail legislation and federal tax relief on funds received from Norfolk Southern.
“President Biden, today’s long-awaited visit to our village allows us to focus on what we agree on,” Conaway said.
Biden claimed in September that his busy schedule simply did not allow him time to visit the Ohio town. His lack of a visit was in contrast to former President Trump. met with residents of East Palestine February 22, 2023, just a few weeks after the incident. Joining President Trump was Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).
The aftermath of a derailed Norfolk Southern freight train can still be seen burning in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 4, 2023. A train derailed the night before, releasing toxic chemicals into the environment. (AP Photo/Jean J. Pasker/File)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“You are not forgotten. We stand with you and 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, resilient spirit of America, and that’s what it is. This is America. We stand in America.”
“You are not forgotten. We support you, we pray for you, and we stand with you in your fight and help ensure you meet the responsibilities you deserve. ”
Vance criticized Biden for announcing a community visit a year after the disaster.
“We can’t let the White House get away with these people,” he told the Wall Street Journal in an article published Thursday. “When my deputy chief of staff asked for NIH grants, they gave a lecture about what the National Institutes of Health does.”
Earlier this month, Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno echoed similar sentiments, saying that Biden “refused to work with East Palestine patriots when it really mattered. He showed support for right-leaning communities.” “This could have united our country, but instead Mr. Biden ignored it.” they. ”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
