President Biden has once again failed to fulfill his promises to the American people. While surveying the damage caused by Hurricane Idalia in Florida, the President was confronted by a reporter on why he has not yet visited the small town of East Palestine, Ohio seven months after a catastrophic train derailment that has left the community reeling.
Biden: "I haven’t had the occasion to go to East Palestine. There’s a lot going on.”
It's been 8 months. pic.twitter.com/Pw7RR45fpm
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) September 3, 2023
Despite claiming in March that he would visit the town, the President has yet to make good on his word, leaving the struggling residents without the aid and support they so desperately need. Instead, the President has been more concerned with his overseas trips to India and Vietnam, neglecting the very real crisis his own citizens are facing.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has urged the President to issue a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration in response to the derailment, which would allow for increased federal aid and resources to be allocated towards the cleanup efforts. But once again, the Biden administration has failed to take any meaningful action.
The Norfolk Southern train that derailed on February 3 was carrying large amounts of deadly chemicals, including the highly toxic vinyl chloride and hydrogen chloride. Inhaling these fumes can induce dizziness, nausea, headache, and breathing complications, putting the health and safety of East Palestine’s residents at risk.
But instead of taking immediate action to address this crisis, the order was given to let the chemicals burn off, leading to a massive, toxic cloud that could be seen from space. This disastrous decision has had long-lasting and devastating effects on the surrounding environment and the health of those who live there.
It’s time for the President to start fulfilling his promises and taking action to support the American people. The residents of East Palestine have been left to fend for themselves for far too long, and it’s time for the Biden administration to step up and provide them with the resources and aid they need to recover from this catastrophe.
