President Joe Biden stated Friday he would not have plans to go to East Palestine, Ohio, the place a prepare derailment three weeks in the past led to a poisonous chemical spill that is endangered residents and wildlife for miles.
“At this second [I’m] not,” Biden instructed reporters on the White Home when requested whether or not he deliberate to go to the city close to the border with Pennsylvania.
“The reply is that I had an extended assembly with my staff and what they’re doing. You already know, we have been there inside two hours that the prepare went down, two hours.”
The Biden administration has confronted harsh criticism from congressional Republicans, in addition to residents of the city, over its response to the derailment, with some arguing that the president ought to have prioritized journey to East Palestine over making a shock go to to Ukraine earlier this week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Thursday visited East Palestine and vowed that his division will work with the administration and Congress to stop future disasters much like the Feb. 3 prepare derailment.
Biden on Friday disputed that his administration was not engaged with the response from authorities, telling reporters that he’s “conserving very shut tabs” on the hassle.
Former President Donald Trump, joined by GOP Sen. JD Vance of Ohio and different native Republicans, made a marketing campaign cease in East Palestine on Wednesday, the place he criticized Biden’s dealing with of the disaster.
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