Vice President Vance, other Ohio dignitaries will travel to East Palestine for 2-year anniversary of toxic train derailment

Vance will be joined by Gov. Mike DeWine and both of Ohio’s U.S. senators, as well as new U.S. EPA Director Lee Zeldin.

Vice President JD Vance is set to lead a group of Ohio officials to East Palestine on Monday to commemorate the second anniversary of a hazardous train derailment in the village of Columbiana County.

The delegation will include Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Sen. Bernie Moreno, Sen. Jon Husted, and the new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Director Lee Zeldin. While specific plans for the visit have not been disclosed, it is reported that Vance will oversee the cleanup progress and engage with local leaders and residents.

“I am honored to join Vice President Vance on the visit to East Palestine and am committed to collaborating closely with the Trump administration to ensure that the affected Ohioans receive the necessary assistance,” stated Moreno. “President Trump and Vice President Vance have demonstrated unwavering support for the residents of East Palestine from the outset, unlike the previous administration.”

It was Feb. 3, 2023, when a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in the village, causing a number of toxic materials to burn into the air or seep into nearby waterways. Officials eventually conducted a controlled release of several cars carrying vinyl chloride, a move the National Transportation Safety Board said was likely unnecessary despite Norfolk Southern’s assertions of safety concerns.

In its final report, the NTSB blamed a failed axel bearing for the wreck, and made more than 30 safety recommendations to help prevent future incidents from occurring. In the months since the disaster, East Palestine residents have expressed deep concerns over the environment and long-term health effects in the town, and Norfolk Southern has spent hundreds of millions of dollars both paying for the cleanup and reaching financial settlements with the village (though some legal actions are still pending).

The crash also quickly turned into a political football, with Republicans claiming Democrats were inadequate in their efforts to help the rural Eastern Ohio community. President Joe Biden’s administration countered by noting that federal workers were on the ground in East Palestine almost immediately after the derailment, and DeWine also confirmed at the time that Biden had promised “anything you need” to assist (the governor initially did not call the president back).

The question of whether Biden would visit the village also generated controversy. Mayor Trent Conaway — who initially said he and others in the town didn’t “want to be political pawns” — at first said a trip by Biden “would actually be more harm than good” due to security concerns before switching course and blasting the president for a foreign visit to Ukraine, claiming, “That tells you right now he doesn’t care about us.”

The White House eventually promised Biden would travel to East Palestine, but he did not do so until this past February. Conaway ended up speaking at the Republican National Convention in support of Donald Trump, Biden’s predecessor who visited the site in the weeks following the crash. Trump was reelected to a second non-consecutive term as president in November and took office on Jan. 20.

During his two years in the U.S. Senate, Vance emerged as a leading voice seeking accountability for the disaster. He and his then-Democratic Senate colleague Sherrod Brown even helped co-sponsor bipartisan legislation seeking to bolster railway safety regulations, but the bill never came up for a vote.

You May Also Like

Cleveland Bishop Edward Malesic admires Pope Leo XIV, describing personal interactions with him and highlighting his devotion to Jesus.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has made history by becoming the first pope…

Palm Bay stops using school zone speed cameras for the rest of the school year

In Palm Bay, Florida, the city has decided to suspend its school…

Prepare for the possibility of severe storms in Central Florida, along with a high likelihood of rain continuing throughout the weekend. Find out everything you need to know here.

ORLANDO, Fla. – If you’ve been wondering when the rain will let…

How the Fentanyl Crisis is Impacting Ohio Families for the Long Term

Fentanyl is a significant contributor to the most severe drug crisis the…

Understanding John Fetterman, the Pennsylvania Senator advocating for mental health

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, the lawmaker known for his…

Dismissal of charges for 3 defendants in the Christian Glass lawsuit in return for training video

In Eagle, Colorado, it has been almost three years since Christian Glass,…

Two individuals, suspected of shooting and kidnapping a baby, were apprehended by Denver law enforcement.

DENVER — Two people have been arrested amid a shooting and kidnapping…

Russia celebrates 80th anniversary of defeating Nazi Germany with Victory Day parade

In Moscow, Russia commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi…

The selection of the new pope amazed Americans in St. Peter’s Square

Americans gathered in St. Peter’s Square were shocked and overjoyed by the…

Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, Dismissed by President Trump

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump unexpectedly terminated Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden…

List of 34 upcoming Walmart stores in Florida that will showcase innovative features.

New Walmart “Stores of the Future” are in the works nationwide —…

Location of Arrest for 3 Fugitives Wanted in Ohio for Separate Murder Cases

One of the cases dates back to September 2024 when a body…