Residents Speak Out Against Biden’s Absence
Months after a disastrous incident struck East Palestine, Ohio, President Biden is facing criticism for his failure to visit the town. Local residents, including Courtney Miller, DJ Yokley, and Jami Wallace, expressed their frustration during an interview on “Fox & Friends”. They shared the health and environmental concerns they have been dealing with since the incident occurred.
“I still have yet to take my kids into East Palestine—I’m still fearful of what it’s going to cause,” Miller revealed. She also mentioned that many people in the area have fallen ill, and she has been forced to stay in a motel near the town ever since the incident. Miller expressed her disappointment in President Biden, stating, “I don’t want to take my kids into something that obviously Biden doesn’t even want to show up [at].”
East Palestine Mayor Suggests Alternative Date for Visit
Mayor Trent Conaway of East Palestine suggested a possible date for President Biden’s visit. In an interview with Fox News, Conaway remarked that the best time for the president to visit would be in February of 2025. He humorously added that this coincides with Biden’s supposed book tour during that year.
However, despite the challenges faced by the residents, Conaway made it clear that President Biden is always welcome in their town. He admitted uncertainty about what the president would do during a visit but emphasized the open arms of East Palestine’s community.
Contrasting Actions of Former President Trump
The absence of President Biden’s visit stands in stark contrast to the actions of former President Donald Trump. Just weeks after the incident in East Palestine, Trump paid a visit to the town on February 22, 2023. He was accompanied by Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio.
Addressing the crowd, Trump assured them that they were not forgotten and pledged his support in their fight for accountability. He commended the community for their resilience, stating, “The community has shown the tough and resilient heart of America. And that’s what it is. This is really America right here. We’re standing in America.”
The discrepancy in their responses has not gone unnoticed, and many are questioning President Biden’s priorities and commitment to the affected communities.
Reporters from Fox News, including Patrick Ward and Gabriel Hays, contributed to this report.