White House reveals Biden will visit East Palestine on Friday

President Joe Biden will travel to East Palestine, Ohio, on Friday, Feb. 16, to mark the anniversary of the train derailment, according to a White House readout.

The White House had previewed a visit to East Palestine in late January, but it was unknown when it would occur.

“On Friday, February 16, just over one year after the Norfolk Southern train derailment, the President will travel to East Palestine, Ohio to discuss how the Administration is continuing to work with state and local officials to hold Norfolk Southern accountable and support the community as it moves forward,” the White House said Saturday. “The President will discuss 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 families, businesses, and affected residents.”

Thirty-eight rail cars, some carrying hazardous materials, burned for days following the derailment on Feb. 3, 2023, causing evacuations and health concerns among residents. Biden has yet to visit East Palestine, leading to criticism after former President Donald Trump visited on Feb. 22, 2023, and he instead sent Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Feb. 23, 2023.

This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Feb. 3, in East Palestine, Ohio, are still on fire on Feb. 4, 2023. The major freight railroads all promised safety improvements after the fiery derailment in eastern Ohio one year ago, but they have yet to make a meaningful improvement in the safety statistics and efforts to reform the industry have stalled in Congress. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway, who had expressed disappointment at the president’s delayed visit, said on Jan. 31 that he had invited the president to visit “so we can get some of these answers to some of these lingering health concerns.”

“For the most part, everybody is doing good, you know, it’s coming back to life,” he added. “We’re getting out of the cleanup phase. We’re getting into the economic development phase and try[ing] to get some lifeblood pumped back into this town.”

A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains, Feb. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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In announcing the visit last month, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “The president’s focus has been to do everything that he can to support this community from day one. … This is about this president being a president for everyone and showing up, showing up for this community.”

Federal investigators announced also on Jan. 31 that the cause of the train derailment will be released at a hearing in June, 17 months after the incident occurred. The National Transportation Safety Board will discuss its findings and the next steps during its hearings that month.