Two years after a toxic train derailment uprooted hundreds of residents on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha visited East Palestine, OH, to remember the event, check in on cleanup efforts still ongoing, and see where Norfolk Southern Railroad's settlement money has gone. Vance was joined by Sens. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) and John Husted (R-OH), Gov. Mike DeWine, Environmental Protection Agency head Lee Zeldin, Mayor Trent Conaway, Ohio Attorney General David Yost, and Vivek Ramaswamy.
Then-Sen. Vance was on site nearly immediately after the derailment in 2023, as was Donald Trump, who was involved in a fevered frenzy of criminal accusations at the time. Trump showed up with truckloads of bottled water and other urgently needed supplies. Then-President Joe Biden had left for Ukraine to deliver another large monetary installment for war efforts.
Biden showed up in 2024, a year plus later, making things much worse for himself, angering the community by preening over the great guidance and assistance he had supposedly provided over the year. Then he declared: "I'm announcing the award of six National Institutes of Health grants to some of America's best research universities to study the short- and long-term impacts of what happened here."
That statement went over like a toxic cloud of chemicals. And East Palestinians have elephant-like memories. They want an administration to listen to them and not work on adding another layer of bureaucracy.
The Charm of Vance
East Palestine Fire Chief Keith Drabick and Mayor Conaway kicked off the visit by leading Vance and company on a tour of the derailment site, a location the vice president knows well. He was on the ground shortly after the incident sent toxic fumes belching across the small Ohio town. The group then proceeded to the local fire station to talk one-on-one and then address the press. Remarks were brief -- but pointed. Vance began by saying the last administration hadn't made good on its promises. He also said, "President Trump just wanted to deliver a message that this community will not be forgotten, will not be left behind, and we're in it for the long haul in East Palestine," Vance promised. "We will not forget you."
Vance shared the microphone with Zeldin, who promised that East Palestine would be the EPA's highest priority "day in and day out." Music to the ears of those gathered, one might say. And Vance found a lifelong ally in Mayor Conaway, who praised Trump's right-hand man throughout the visit, saying at times: "It was 100% [Vance]. He wanted to come and see the progress so far after two years and to make sure the village residents know, and the surrounding residents of the area know, that he is with us and he's still here."
Pleas From Locals
The townspeople not invited on the tour stood in protest: The real victims of the tragedy feel ignored by the railroad and government officials, from the feds to the local city council. Nine new lawsuits against the railroad have landed recently, including the first seven wrongful deaths. As reported by the Associated Press, "One business alleged cleanup work created 'smoke, debris and odors' and led to routine flooding. The dog breeder said toxic chemicals killed at least 116 puppies and three adult dogs."
That sentiment was validated as people gathered on the downtown streets holding signs and not holding back their anger, saying the town is owned by the railroad and pointing out where all the settlement money went – municipal services. The brass tacks: The railroad has already provided $13.5 million to upgrade the water treatment plant and to replace police and fire equipment. The railroad also is paying $25 million to improve a park.
"Our clients want truth. They want transparency," attorney Kristina Baehr said about the people she represents. "They want to know what they were exposed to, which has been hidden from them. They want to know what happened and why it happened. And they want accountability." The new lawsuit announced Monday morning (Feb. 3) contains the first seven wrongful death claims filed against Norfolk Southern railroad — including that of a one-week-old baby.
The tiny village contains many moving pieces that Vance and company can corral, and restoring the community’s trust in government will be a herculean task. But it appears the healing process just got a much-needed booster.
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