Biden Finally Visits East Palestine 1 Year After Train Derailment

OAN’s Brooke Mallory
5:25 PM – Friday, February 16, 2024

More than a year after a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, spilling dangerous chemicals, President Joe Biden finally took time out of his schedule to visit the small community Friday.

Biden assured local residents that, after meeting with local leaders and receiving briefings from the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. government would carry out its mandate and remain in the area until the cleanup is complete.

He praised the courage and tenacity of the community and insisted that the community “will not be defined by the derailment.” He also accused Norfolk Southern of not taking necessary safety measures for dangerous cargo.

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But local residents in the area expressed frustration that Biden waited a full year before deciding to travel to East Palestine. They also claimed he had done nothing to help the small community get back on its feet.

“Let me be clear: There is an act of God, but this is an act of greed that was 100% preventable,” Biden said.

February 3rd incident^rd, this accident, which occurred in 2023, did not cause any fatalities, but inhalation of toxic chemicals caused symptoms such as nausea and headaches. Additionally, there was heightened anxiety and fear about the potential for long-term health effects affecting both humans and animals in the region.

“We provide air, water, [and] Soil quality,” Biden continued.

Republicans, especially former President Donald Trump, who, unlike Biden, visited the area immediately after the derailment, have criticized the current Democratic president for breaking his promise to visit the site immediately after the accident.

But today, more than a year later, Biden visited the small community and spoke with affected local residents and officials, including Mayor Trent Conaway, who had expressed disapproval of Biden.

Conaway said Friday that the meeting is “long overdue” and will focus on “things we agree on,” including the town’s long-term health issues and fiscal stability.

“We will not be defined by this single event, but rather by our response and perseverance in response to it,” Conaway said.

Biden’s pledge was to “hold rail operating companies accountable.”

“My administration has tasked Norfolk South to clean up the mess it has caused and ensure it is done correctly,” he said. “This includes the executive order I signed to continue our priority of holding Southern Norfolk fully accountable for this disaster and the long-term impacts that will be seen over time.”