EAST PALESTINE, Ohio—On the eve of President Joe Biden’s first visit to East Palestine more than one year after a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed and spilled hazardous chemicals, most residents of his eastern Ohio village echoed the same sentiment— that the trip is too late and is motivated by insincere reasons.
The White House, which initially announced President Biden’s visit on Jan. 31, said in a statement on Feb. 15 that the president “will receive a briefing from officials on the continuing response and recovery efforts and meet with members of the community. He will reaffirm 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 affected families, businesses, and residents.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Feb. 15 that “this is a trip that he’s been wanting to make and wanted to make sure that it was the right time to do.”The derailment happened on Feb. 3, 2023. President Biden is scheduled to meet with residents and community leaders on Feb. 16.
