Biden Slated for Friday East Palestine Visit

EAST PALESTINE – More than a year after the East Palestine train derailment and 11 days after promising to visit the village this month, the White House announced Saturday that President Joe Biden will visit on Friday, Feb. 16.

“The president will discuss how the administration is continuing to work with state and local officials to hold Norfolk Southern accountable and support the community as it moves forward,” said the White House in a short statement. “The president will discuss his commitment to ensuring the people of East Palestine are not defined by this single event, and that his administration is delivering on the needs of families, businesses and affected residents.”

No details were provided as to a time or exactly where the president will appear.

Since the derailment and the Feb. 22 visit by former President Donald Trump, many in the community have questioned why Biden has not visited. The administration has pointed out on several occasions the the federal EPA, FEMA and the U.S. Department of Transportation have been among agencies on the ground since the hours following the Feb. 3 derailment and Feb. 6 vent and burn of railcars containing vinyl chloride.

Biden’s announcement of a pending visit came following a recent invitation by East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway, who has been critical of the president, but said he sent the invitation at the behest of some village residents.

Image: Associated Press.

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