Buttigieg Welcomes Trump's Support During Visit to Ohio Derailment Site

Following the derailing of a train carrying hazardous chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg called on former President Donald Trump to support the Biden administration by endorsing its reversal of Trump-era deregulations.

“One thing he could do is express support for reversing the deregulation that happened on his watch,” Buttigieg said during a press conference from the scene Thursday after he was asked about Trump, who had visited the day prior.

“I heard him say he had nothing to do with it, even though it was in his administration. So if he had nothing to do with it and they did it in his administration against his will, maybe he could come out and say that he supports us moving in a different direction,” the transportation secretary said.

He said higher fees, more robust regulations on safety, and congressional support would be a welcome endorsement by the former president.

“That’d be a nice thing for him to do,” Buttigieg added.

In the aftermath of the derailment, the White House has accused Republican lawmakers and the Trump administration of sloppy railway and environmental rules.

To cut costs, GOP senators in 2021 urged the Federal Railroad Administration to expand automated track inspections and proposed cutting government funding for chemical spills, the White House points out. The Trump administration, according to Politico, also undid scheduled safety audits and a rule requiring faster brakes on trains transporting volatile chemicals.

Trending stories

JD Vance ruthlessly mocked after everyone in Greenland refused to welcome wife Usha Vance

Joe Biden has tied the record for most LGBTQ+ judges confirmed in federal courts

Where to stay in LGBTQ+ Ireland: Castles, domes and luxury retreats

The Charles is Pacific Grove's new LGBTQ+ hotel

Watch: In gay period romance 'Lilies Not For Me,' playful wrestling turns sensual (exclusive)

Gerald Garth is keeping people of color happy and healthy through trying times

Elon Musk uses burner accounts on X, doesn’t fact-check: report

Season 4 of The Switch on resilience & radical self-love returns this spring

How climate disasters hurt mental health in young people

Discover the power of Wellness in your life

Alan Cumming jumps for joy after major 'Avengers: Doomsday' casting news

Trump's orders prompt CDC to erase HIV resources

'Mid-Century Modern': Celebrate Linda Lavin's most iconic roles

All 6 rogue Mississippi cops got long prison sentences in 'Goon Squad' torture of 2 Black men

Discover why chic Costa Navarino is Europe's luxury getaway

​6 lesbian films coming we can't wait to see in 2025

Cowboys & Queens U.S. tour by Jane Hilton: A modern American dream

In 'Mid-Century Modern,' the 'gay Avengers' assemble for needed comic relief

Nathan Lee Graham wants 'Mid-Century Modern's queer viewers to 'lean into the joy'

France becomes world’s first country to enshrine abortion rights in constitution

SFAF's Dr. Tyler TerMeer says he'll continue to fight for health care for all

Matt Bomer, as a 'Mid-Century Modern' ditz, can finally 'experience queer joy'

Bob the Drag Queen shades Mistress Isabelle Brooks’ weight loss: 'Girl, you have to get new pads'

In 'Survival of the Thickest,' queer joy and activism are one and the same

From rock legends to Pride flags: Discover the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene in Asbury Park

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8

Buttigieg did not let up on the former president.

“We’re not afraid to own our policies when it comes to raising the bar on regulation, and I’ve got to think that him indicating that this is something that everybody, no matter how much you disagree on politics and presidential campaigns, can get behind,” he said.

Amid criticism for not heading to the disaster site sooner, Buttigieg went to East Palestine the day after Trump made an appearance there, claiming that it was the Biden administration’s fault the town had been neglected and that it was because of Trump’s presence that the current administration was taking note of the town’s needs now.

Republicans had targeted Buttigieg, including calling for his resignation because they felt he didn’t show up at the accident site where nobody died in Ohio soon enough.

However, even on Fox News, anchor Bret Baier challenged several of his colleagues during a Wednesday broadcast ahead of Buttigieg’s trip, in which he pointed out that Trump’s transportation secretary — Sen. Mitch McConnell’s wife — Elaine Chao did not make any appearances at derailments.

That includes derailments at which there were fatalities, Baier pointed out.

Whether President Biden will visit has not yet been confirmed by the White House. He just returned from a trip to Poland, on the way to which he made a surprise appearance in Ukraine.