Staff Reports
President Joe Biden made a bold claim on social media, touting his administration’s immediate and unwavering support for the town of East Palestine, Ohio since day one. However, this statement was met with heavy criticism after it took over a year for the president to make his first visit to the town, following a hazardous train derailment that released toxic chemicals.
In a video shared on social media, Biden is heard speaking to East Palestine residents, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to the community. But critics were quick to call out the stark contrast between his words and the delayed visit. Social media users expressed their disdain, with some highlighting the irony of claiming to have been there “since day one,” when it took 378 days for his first visit to materialize.
To the folks in East Palestine, Ohio:
Our Administration has been here since day one, and we’re not going home until the job is done. pic.twitter.com/pOdyZ6r7ZI
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 19, 2024
The slow response from the Biden administration did not go unnoticed, with other officials also facing criticism for their delayed reactions to the devastating train derailment. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, for instance, visited the town three weeks after the incident, but took nearly ten days to publicly address the accident.
Additionally, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) took to social media to condemn the president for his delayed visit, drawing a sharp contrast between Biden and former President Trump’s immediate response to similar incidents. This sparked further backlash against the president’s handling of the situation, particularly as it coincides with an election year.
The president’s claim of unparalleled support for East Palestine faced backlash from the community and beyond, with many questioning the sincerity of his words in light of the delayed visit. As the town continues to grapple with the aftermath of the hazardous train derailment, Biden’s assertions of steadfast support are viewed with skepticism and criticism, adding to the growing scrutiny of his administration’s actions.
