Mayor Pete Follows Trump’s Lead, Visits East Palestine, Ohio
It only took him about three weeks, but current U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg finally visited East Palestine, Ohio, the site of the terrible train derailment that has caused the release of toxic chemicals into the local environment and put the health and safety of thousands in jeopardy.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg wasted little time Thursday sticking his foot in his mouth as he visited the Ohio village where a train carrying hazardous materials derailed nearly three weeks ago — telling reporters he was trying to strike a “balance” by not showing up sooner. . . .
Buttigieg’s arrival in East Palestine came one day after a visit from former President Donald Trump, who slammed the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate for not showing up sooner. . . .
Buttigieg came under fire in recent weeks over his slow response to the derailment, with critics claiming the Democrat appeared to be blowing off the village’s residents when he said he would visit the accident site “when the time is right.”
The embattled transportation secretary snapped when questioned by a reporter Tuesday about when he would visit East Palestine, telling her he was on “personal time.”
It’s nice of the former Indiana mayor to finally get around to touring this environmental disaster zone, considering a railroad catastrophe falls under his department. The problem is he’s doing it about three weeks too late, and only after former President Donald Trump went to East Palestine, met with residents, and offered whatever assistance he could. Essentially, President Trump already did what the Biden Administration should have.
Just days ago, when asked if he planned to visit East Palestine, Mayor Pete claimed he would go to Ohio “when it is appropriate.” Now it appears the “appropriate” time is after the former President embarrasses your entire Administration, making you look like not only an uncompassionate leader but an ineffective one as well.
Prior to today, Mayor Pete seemed almost unwilling to even discuss this horrific chemical spill in East Palestine, let alone actually go and see the fallout with his own eyes or meet with the residents whose lives have been turned upside down.
In fact, when asked again by another journalist who approached Buttigieg on the street to ask about the situation, the Transportation Secretary stated that he was on his personal time and wouldn’t answer her questions. Sir, respectfully, there’s a crisis in Ohio that falls under your purview. Americans are suffering. You don’t get to hang a Do Not Disturb sign on the door and say it’s your personal time.
What I suspect really happened here is President Trump went to East Palestine first and shamed Mayor Pete – and really President Biden as well – into actually doing his job. It’s disgraceful. The people of Ohio will remember this in 2024.
Today’s full Sekulow broadcast includes more analysis of Sec. Buttigieg’s long-delayed trip to East Palestine, Ohio, to survey the devastation from the train derailment, and how the Biden Administration continues to seem unbothered by this tragic accident. We’re also joined by Rep. Warren Davidson (OH-8), who shares what’s really going on in his home state, as well as his work to defend the religious liberty of U.S. servicemen and women.
Watch the full broadcast below: