Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, are concerned about a recent train derailment that spilled massive amounts of toxic waste in the immediate area. Drinking water is supposedly safe and sound, but residents are suspicious, and rightly so, because the Biden administration has not been see-through or consistent in advising residents about the toxic spill. You can’t say an area is safe and sound when rail workers at the crash site are diseased, as unions told Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg this week. What’s more, Joe Biden still isn’t planning a visit, and CNN explains why (via Fox News):
CNN’s Miguel Marquez claimed Monday that President Biden could “dig up toxic garbage” in East Palestine, Ohio, and it wouldn’t move the “needle” among residents after a toxic train derailed.
“CNN This Morning” host Poppy Harlow asked whether he thought East Palestinians were concerned about President Biden’s visit or not.
“I don’t think they really care,” Marquez said. “They love Donald Trump. Joe Biden could be out there in, you know, a helmet, protective gear, and a shovel, digging up toxic mud. I don’t think it will move the needle much in this area. But they do, you know, Pete Buttigieg met privately with the mayor after that meeting. The mayor, who had been highly critical of the administration, said, “You know what? I am more satisfied than ever and optimistic that not only will we get through this, but East Palestine will be better for it.”
We talked about how Biden’s reluctance to visit Ohio was likely due to the political makeup of the area; this is Trump country. He’s rural, white and Republican – no political gain here, but that doesn’t matter when you’re president of the United States. Biden needs to go, even if these people hate his guts, which they probably do. Pete visited the facility, which was the right decision, even though it ended in a public relations fiasco. I’m sure that’s an right statement about Biden’s visit to East Palestine – it wouldn’t move the needle. Yet he still has an obligation to do so.
