Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg rushed to the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, on Tuesday, after his response to other disasters came under intense scrutiny.
Early Tuesday morning, the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after a Sri Lanka-bound cargo ship hit a pillar. President Joe Biden addressed the crisis Tuesday, saying Buttigieg was also on the scene as the federal government discussed how to respond to the tragedy.
“I spoke to the Democratic governor of Maryland. [Wes] Mr. Moore was joined this morning by the mayor and county executive of Baltimore, as well as two U.S. senators and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. And my Secretary of Transportation is on the scene,” Biden said Tuesday. “I told them we’re going to spend all the federal resources necessary to respond to this emergency. I mean all federal resources.”
Mr. Buttigieg did not attend a morning news conference there where Mr. Moore, Lt. Gov. Aluna Miller and Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Weidefeld addressed the crisis. Moore said at a news conference that authorities’ decision to close the bridge to traffic after the cargo ship issued a mayday call saved lives.
“a“At Governor Moore’s invitation, Secretary Buttigieg will be at the site of the Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse today to obtain the latest information,” Department of Transportation (DOT) spokeswoman Kate Poltorak said in a statement shortly after. told the Daily Caller. Press conference. “Watch his posts on X [Twitter] Click here for the latest information from DOT. Further information will be provided as to whether he will be available on site to answer questions from the media. ”
We would like to thank the first responders who responded to the scene on the Francis Scott Key Bridge. pic.twitter.com/mxrhoYWuD2
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) March 26, 2024
The transportation secretary did not attend the morning press conference, but he issued a statement on Twitter hours after the crash and posted a photo of himself meeting with first responders.
“Following the vessel collision and collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, I have spoken with Governor Moore and Mayor Scott to offer USDOT assistance. Rescue efforts are ongoing and motorists in the Baltimore area are advised to detour. We must follow the instructions of our local responders regarding routes and responses,” Buttigieg wrote.
I spoke with Governor Moore and Mayor Scott to offer USDOT assistance in the wake of the ship collision and collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Rescue efforts are ongoing and motorists in the Baltimore area should follow directions from local responders regarding detours and response.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) March 26, 2024
Buttigieg has previously faced criticism for his handling of other traffic incidents. When a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, it took Transportation Secretary Biden more than a week to respond to the crisis.
Buttigieg addressed the situation in a Twitter thread before confronting former Daily Caller News Foundation reporter Jenny Tarr during a walk in Washington, D.C.
“Do you have anything to say to the people of East Palestine, Ohio, who are suffering right now?” Tails asked.
“Well, I’ll share with you about a dozen interviews that I’ve done today. If you’d like to have a conversation, be sure to contact the press office,” Buttigieg said, before giving several interviews. He added that there is. personal time. ”
I asked Secretary Buttigieg about the crisis in East Palestine, but he didn’t seem to like it and took a picture of me. I’m just doing my job, sir. @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/HjKNgF25FJ
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) February 22, 2023
The transportation secretary also faced backlash in January after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was asked to ground all domestic flights due to safety system failures. report. This is the first time that all flights within the United States have been grounded since the September 11 terrorist attacks.
In August 2022, a bipartisan coalition of 38 state attorneys general petitioned Congress, claiming Buttigieg was not adequately responding to complaints from airline customers. according to On Fox News. Just a few months later, in December 2022, ministers came under fire again after Southwest Airlines canceled and delayed thousands of flights.
“Federal agencies charged with overseeing airline consumer protection are unable or unwilling to hold the airline industry accountable or promptly investigate complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation. It is understandable that Americans are dissatisfied with the lack of this.” letter I have written.
Hours after the holiday cancellations began, Buttigieg tweeted that he was working with the FAA to address the issue, Fox News reported. Social media users reacted to the transport secretary’s tweet, criticizing the delay in his remarks. (Related: ‘The whole bridge fell down!’: Shocking dispatch audio released after Baltimore bridge collapse)
“This happened last night around 11pm and you just released a statement??” one Twitter user named Laura said. I have written.
This morning, we communicated with the FAA regarding a failure that affected a critical system that provides safety information to pilots. The FAA is working to quickly and safely resolve this issue so that air traffic can resume normal operations and will continue to provide updates.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) January 11, 2023
In the initial response to the bridge collapse, the President responded thoroughly to the situation. Biden and top officials from his team met to receive a briefing on the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, the White House said. The White House added that during the briefing, Biden directed his team to make all federal resources available while authorities continue their search and rescue efforts.
President Biden has said he expects the federal government to pay for the entire cost of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) March 26, 2024
In his remarks Tuesday, the president said the bridge would be rebuilt and promised to cover the entire construction cost.
“It is my intention that the federal government pays for the full cost of rebuilding the bridge, and I look forward to Congress supporting my efforts,” Biden said.
