The Biden Administration is in big trouble after denying Ohio emergency aid while it faces a state of emergency due to hazardous chemicals in a train crash. The White House has now come out and explained why it turned down Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s request for disaster relief this week.
According to Fox News, a Biden administration official claims that it has provided extensive assistance to surrounding communities following the chemical release earlier this month in eastern Ohio. The official continued by explaining that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) isn’t best equipped to support the state’s current needs.
Biden says NO to assisting in Ohio disaster. Could it be because it is predominantly conservative? https://t.co/VtX4x1kID0
— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) February 16, 2023
“The Biden Administration is mobilizing a robust, multi-agency effort to support the people of East Palestine, Ohio. Since February 3, the Environmental Protection Agency has had personnel on the ground,” the official said. “FEMA is coordinating with the emergency operations center working closely with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.”
“But what East Palestine needs is much more expansive than what FEMA can provide,” they added. “FEMA is on the frontlines when there is a hurricane or tornado. This situation is different.”
As a former emergency manager & hazardous materials technician let me explain a high-level overview of the response to the Ohio train derailment & the release of hazardous materials into the community & why some decisions may have been made. Specifically to let the material burn. pic.twitter.com/KZsbMWwocH
— Ryan Cunningham (@rycunni) February 14, 2023
Highlighted by the Biden administration were four agencies: the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The administration claims that these four agencies are actively assisting local residents on the ground.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre commented on Thursday that the administration’s priority was the “health and safety of the community.”
Contaminated river in Ohio. Biden rejected emergency assistance requests, but it's no surprise, considering the US did the same in Ecuador, refused to pay the poisoned population, and jailed the lawyer who won the court case against them (Steven Donziger) pic.twitter.com/t0JtaHeraE
— 🌽 CORN POP 🌽 (@Fishcak18433002) February 17, 2023
Ohio Governor DeWine’s office released a statement that explained that it has been in daily contact with FEMA, but that the agency “continues to tell” the governor that Ohio isn’t eligible for disaster assistance. In response, FEMA claims that it is coordinating with EPA, HHS, and the CDC to support the state.
