News/Commentary

Buttigieg slammed from all sides over ‘troubling trend’ of catastrophes, even Ilhan Omar demands action

February 14, 2023 | | Print Article

Politics makes for very strange bedfellows as the horrific Ohio train derailment proves with the hosts of “Fox & Friends” citing Rep. Ilhan Omar’s criticism of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg while he gets hit by both Republicans and Democrats over the catastrophe.

(Video Credit: Fox News)

East Palestine was ground zero for the Norfolk Southern train derailment that resulted in a major toxic chemical spill that is now reportedly killing birds, fish, and other wildlife. It’s also reportedly making people there sick. Buttigieg is getting hammered from both sides of the political aisle who want to know where infrastructure funds went and exactly what he’s doing to handle the disaster.

“East Palestine railroad derailment will have a significant negative impact on the health and well-being of the residents for decades, and there is almost zero national media attention,” Omar angrily tweeted. “We need Congressional inquiry and direct action from Pete Buttigieg to address this tragedy.”

In response to that shot over his bow, Buttigieg tweeted that he and federal authorities are addressing the matter. “Fox & Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade clapped back that the people of East Palestine aren’t seeing any mobilization or real effort to mitigate the effects of the derailment.

“They certainly don’t see the passion, and they certainly don’t see Mayor Pete,” Kilmeade asserted.

Meanwhile, Steve Doocy mocked Buttigieg for ranting about racial disparities in construction instead of addressing the derailment.

“You just hope this has nothing to do with the fact that Ohio is a red state,” Kilmeade remarked.

Co-host Katie Pavlich excoriated Buttigieg as well for his “lack of attention” on the disaster.

Doocy pointed out that Omar has a point, “You know what? Ilhan Omar was right as well. This is gonna be something these people are gonna have to worry about for years.”

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) told Fox News on Monday that he’s “horrified” by the Norfolk Southern train derailment, warning that many questions remain unanswered after a controlled release of toxic chemicals shrouded the town in thick plumes of black smoke. Approximately 50 cars, including several carrying vinyl chloride, derailed on the evening of Feb. 3 due to a broken axle.

Surveillance video that was obtained by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette showed one of the train car’s axles on fire about 20 miles outside of East Palestine on the night of the derailment. That is evidently raising questions concerning whether conductors could have prevented the disaster or not.

“I have heard alarming anecdotes about contaminated waterways and effects on wildlife. I encourage anyone with credible reports of environmental harms to contact my office,” Vance said. “This is a complex environmental disaster with impacts that may be difficult to assess in the short term. Long-term study will be imperative.”

He also pointed out that there is a “troubling trend of catastrophic infrastructure problems in our country.”

“Many questions remain unanswered about the quality of the braking system used, the durability of the repair parts in the trains, and the Transportation Department’s regulatory approach to our nation’s rail system,” Vance asserted.

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) also called for Buttigieg’s resignation on Tuesday over the tragedy.

Numerous problems in the transportation sector have taken place under the Biden administration, highlighting Buttigieg’s incompetence. Some of the greatest hits include Southwest Airlines’ Christmas flight fiasco, the Federal Aviation Administration grounding all flights due to a lapse in its communications system last month, a barely averted rail strike last fall, and ongoing problems with global supply chains that are causing food and medicine shortages.

There have been a dozen recent train derailments, with developing stories in South Carolina and Texas.

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