CHRIS PUGH: Leave politics out of East Palestine; focus on helping residents recover
Political stakes are rising as the response after the East Palestine train derailment continues.
And although political theater is interesting, I’m not sure how it directly impacts East Palestine residents in need.
Former President Donald Trump visited the region Wednesday afternoon.
To his credit, Trump brought more than words.
He brought a truck and reportedly donated thousands of bottles of cleaning supplies and pallets of bottled water to those in need.
Good gesture, but that won’t provide lasting answers to the area.
How Trump’s visit to East Palestine turned political
Make no mistake.
Trump’s actions are motivated by politics.
Trump repeatedly claimed during his visit that U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg only would visit East Palestine once they heard he was coming.
His visit took on the tone of a political rally as attendees chanted “Trump 2024,” a reference to the former president’s plans to run for president again.
In addition, East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway has said he didn’t feel that U.S. President Joe Biden cared about his town.
“That was the biggest slap in the face,” Conaway said on Fox News. “That tells you right now he doesn’t care about us. He can send every agency he wants to, but I found out this morning that he was in Ukraine giving millions of dollars away to people over there and not to us…on President’s Day in our country, so I’m furious.”
Democrats were also part of the political fray.
Andrew Bates, a deputy White House press secretary, said congressional Republicans and former Trump administration officials “owe East Palestine an apology for selling them out to rail industry lobbyists,” pointing to past efforts to loosen regulations.
“Congressional Republicans laid the groundwork for the Trump Administration to tear up requirements for more effective train brakes, and last year most House Republicans wanted to defund our ability to protect drinking water,” Bates said in a statement.
What needs to happen in East Palestine
The government needs to enforce its plans to hold Norfolk Southern officials responsible in paying for damages done to the area following the train derailment.
It will be costly, but it’s a necessary step to help the area recover.
Instead of making pitches for upcoming elections, Republicans and Democrats must work together to ensure that Norfolk Southern pays damages for the train derailment.
That’s how politicians can provide real answers for the American people.
Follow Mahoning Matters on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. McClatchy contributed to this column.