NewsNation anchor Chris Cuomo had strong words for President Joe Biden during his Tuesday report from East Palestine, Ohio, and everyone should take note.
Unlike the rest of America and our president, Cuomo hasn’t given up on East Palestine the site of a toxic train derailment in February that experts said “basically nuked” the town. Biden has refused to visit the town and has not signed an emergency declaration that would support residents in rebuilding after the disaster.
“[Biden] should be offering reasons that he’s acting or that he’s not acting,” Cuomo explained. “The President literally flew over this place on his way to Detroit. Not saying it was wrong to go to Detroit. I’m saying he could have come here. He chose not to to go to San Francisco to raise money. I get the realities of politics. Believe me, I grew up in it. But if you want people to know that you’re the president of everybody in this country, it shouldn’t matter if you think you’re gonna get their vote. What you should be getting is their trust.”
Having Biden visit East Palestine would “send a message” that people are more than just politics, Cuomo noted in conversation with fellow NewsNation host Leland Vittert.
Eight months after the derailment, people are still filled with fear, have no answers and are scared for the safety and lives of their loved ones. No one knows the damage done by the “controlled burn” of known carcinogens, but there are plenty of health issues plaguing residents. These include nose bleeds, chemical burns and more. (RELATED: Montana Train Derailment ‘Clean Up’ Didn’t Work. Chemicals Still Flood Yellowstone River)
Cuomo and his team contacted just about everyone possible to get these answers, but no one replied. And no one would visit.
The entire situation is giving Flint, Michigan, vibes. The children of Flint were fed lead-laced water for years under the Obama administration, which also turned a blind eye to the agony of American citizens in their moment of need. (RELATED: Norfolk Southern Bails On Public Meeting After Train Derailment, Community Rage Erupts)
These stories are becoming all too prevalent in the U.S., so it’s a relief to see at least one person is keeping a spotlight on them. This is not the only time Cuomo has told Biden he needs to visit East Palestine, and I hope it’s not the last.