Ohio governor says Biden should come to East Palestine: ‘no doubt about it’

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, is pressuring President Biden to travel to his state’s East Palestine, where a train derailment last month sparked an environmental and public health disaster.

“He should come. No doubt,” DeWine said in an interview with Fox News on Thursday. “The president has to come. People want to see the president. He should be there.”

The derailment of the Norfolk Southern railroad, which carried toxic chemicals, has set off a political hailstorm for the Biden administration, facing sharp criticism for its handling of the disaster.

This week, scientists at Texas A&M University and Carnegie Mellon University said levels of nine chemicals were higher than normal in the area. According to researchers, it can pose health risks if levels remain high.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state officials say the area’s air quality is safe and the chemicals will subside over time, but residents have reported health reactions such as rashes and respiratory problems. I am reporting.

DeWine said he asked the EPA about the findings from the university, and the EPA’s response concluded:[s] Very sensible. “

“There are some of these bumps, but they believe they’re obviously temporary,” he said. …If it continues over the years and people keep breathing it, yes, it will actually become a problem.”

Several Republicans have criticized Biden for not coming to East Palestine after his recent trip to Europe, which focused on the war in Ukraine.

The governor said he had spoken to Biden many times, but the last time they spoke was when the president was in Poland. He said he didn’t even explain.

“I think the time is now. The president needs to come,” DeWine said. “It just matters.”

Biden was pressured to come to Ohio because former President Trump, who hopes to return to the White House in 2024, visited the village last week and said the Biden administration’s response to the derailment was “indifference and betrayal.” because he accused him of being