Since a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, three weeks ago, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been absent from the scene.
According to Republican Governor Mike DeWine, the decision was made to burn the toxic chemicals to avoid the train car from exploding.
The Norfolk Southern Railroad plans a controlled release of vinyl chloride around 1 p.m. 15:30 today. An immediate evacuation was ordered for a one-mile by two-mile area surrounding eastern Palestine, which includes parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania. More: https://t.co/8JSvDjtmXB pic.twitter.com/LjoYJmjjOO
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) February 6, 2023
Since then, many residents have reported symptoms of burning eyes, throats and animals dying. They were told to drink bottled water until further research confirms tap water and soil are protected.
Last week, during a town hall meeting in East Palestine, local residents asked where Buttigieg was and why there was largely no federal government aid at the scene.
The Mayor of East Palestine decided to ask questions during an “open house” last night. Resident: Where is Pete Buttigieg? Where is he?
Mayor: I don’t know. Your guess is as good as mine. Yesterday was the first time I heard anything from the White House. @LucasFoxNews pic.twitter.com/TXuKFPg9Cx— Dagen McDowell (@dagenmcdowell) February 16, 2023
During a Tuesday interview on Good Morning America, Buttigieg, who failed to fix potholes when he was mayor of South Bend, Indiana, finally said he planned to appear in East Palestine this week. EPA Administrator Michael Regan was already there.
WATCH: Pressed by ABC News on Ohio’s response, Buttigieg admits: “Listen, I was mayor of my hometown for eight years. We’ve had a lot of disasters.” pic.twitter.com/thJC9x3mda
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) February 21, 2023
Ohio Republican Sen. J.D. Vance is sharply criticizing Buttigieg for being missing in action and focusing on the wrong issues.
“I have to say: The Secretary of Transportation isn’t talking about this issue… he’s talking about us having too many white construction workers, not about our trains crashing at an alarming rate. A guy’s gotta do his job.” – Senator @JDVance1 pic.twitter.com/WzTizjk0Hh
— William Martin (@wsmartin218) February 15, 2023
Over the weekend, after former President Donald Trump announced he would visit East Palestine on Wednesday, FEMA gave final approval to Governor DeWine’s requests for aid.
