One hundred seventeen days have passed since President Joe Biden made a promise to visit East Palestine, Ohio. The 80-year-old president made this statement after a lunch meeting with Senate Democrats on Capitol Hill. This pledge came amid increasing criticism from Republicans, Ohio officials, and East Palestine residents regarding the Biden administration’s handling of the February 3 disaster, where hazardous chemicals leaked into the ground and toxic smoke filled the sky after a Norfolk Southern train derailed.
Watch Biden Promise to Visit East Palestine, OH
It has been 144 days since the toxic train disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, and 117 days since Biden promised he’d visit “at some point.”
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 27, 2023
Biden hasn't said a word about it since.pic.twitter.com/hqRDjGpKle
When asked about a potential visit to the Ohio town, Biden told reporters on Thursday, “I will be out there at some point.” However, like a true politician, he did not specify when this future trip would occur. Both the president and the White House had previously stated that Biden had no plans to visit East Palestine, despite ongoing concerns among residents about the long-term health effects of the calamity.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre informed the media that travel arrangements had not been made for Biden to tour the Ohio town.
Before expressing his intention to visit East Palestine in the future, the president defended his response to the crisis, stating he had spoken with every official in Ohio, Democrat and Republican, on a continuous basis. He also emphasized that substantial measures would be implemented through legislation.
This change in stance about his visit occurred on the same day that Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called on Biden to travel to the small village near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, stating, “There is no doubt about it. The president needs to come. The people want to see the president. He should be there.”
Mayor Trent Conaway of East Palestine criticized Biden and others for his undisclosed trip to Ukraine on President’s Day and his announcement of $500 million in aid to Kyiv before visiting the derailment site. Conaway expressed his frustration, saying, “That was the biggest slap in the face… That tells you right now he doesn’t care about us. He can send every agency he wants to, but I found out this morning that he was in Ukraine giving millions of dollars away to people over there and not to us… on President’s Day in our country, so I’m furious.” The mayor’s remarks indicated that he believes Biden lacks concern for the people of East Palestine. Biden’s sincerity should be questioned; it has been more than enough time for him to have made that visit.
Initially, Biden stated that he did not receive an invitation to visit East Palestine but later arranged a visit to Kyiv. This raises the question of when an invitation was necessary to offer assistance and demonstrate care. A competent leader would have visited the disaster-stricken area and shown compassion. It seems that Biden either lacks the motivation, is apprehensive, or simply doesn’t care about the residents of East Palestine, Ohio. Now, 117 days later, it all seems a little too late.