East Palestine, Ohio: The Train Wreck That Proved Bureaucrats Can't Be Trusted
A Case Study in Governmental Failure and Mistrust
The East Palestine, Ohio train derailment exposed deep-seated issues within government response and accountability. The disaster, which saw a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous materials derail and ignite, quickly became a symbol of bureaucratic failure and political maneuvering.
Key Takeaways
• The February 2023 East Palestine train derailment released toxic chemicals, leading to a controversial "controlled burn" that created a massive plume of hazardous substances.
• Residents faced a perceived lack of immediate and adequate government assistance, fueling distrust in federal agencies like FEMA.
• FOIA revelations indicate federal officials knew about significant health risks, including potential cancer clusters, but withheld this information from the public.
• The disaster became politically charged, with critics questioning the Biden administration's response and contrasting it with former President Trump's visit and pledges of support.
• The ongoing fallout highlights the need for transparency, accountability, and long-term health monitoring for affected communities.
The Train Wreck That Proved Bureaucrats Can't Be Trusted
On February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border. Thirty-eight cars went off the tracks, with eleven tank cars spilling over 100,000 gallons of hazardous materials, including vinyl chloride, benzene residue, and butyl acrylate. The immediate aftermath saw several railcars burn for over two days. Officials then made the controversial decision to conduct a "controlled burn" of five tank cars carrying vinyl chloride, releasing hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the air. This created a towering mushroom cloud over the town, prompting evacuations.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later determined a defective wheel bearing caused the derailment. Critically, the NTSB also found that the decision to vent and burn the vinyl chloride was based on incomplete and misleading information from Norfolk Southern officials and contractors. The burn was likely unnecessary to prevent a tank car failure.
Lack of Government Assistance and Political Motivations
From the outset, the federal government's response drew heavy criticism. Many residents and local leaders felt abandoned, with the Biden administration's actions perceived as slow and insufficient. The mayor of East Palestine criticized President Biden's visit to Ukraine during the crisis, highlighting a perceived disconnect between the administration's priorities and the needs of its own citizens.
FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, became a focal point of this frustration. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine initially stated that East Palestine did not qualify for direct financial aid from FEMA, explaining that FEMA typically provides assistance for property damage from natural disasters like tornadoes or floods. This stance, despite the clear environmental and health catastrophe, deepened public distrust.
The disaster quickly became a political battleground. Right-wing commentators and Republican lawmakers, including Ohio Senator JD Vance, criticized Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for his delayed visit and the administration's overall handling of the crisis. They contrasted the federal response in East Palestine with the aid provided to Ukraine, suggesting a politically motivated neglect of American citizens.
FOIA Revelations Expose the Cover-Up
Recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) documents have intensified the scrutiny on federal agencies. These revelations suggest that FEMA was aware of significant toxic exposure risks and potential long-term health consequences, including cancer clusters, in East Palestine. Despite this internal knowledge, federal officials publicly downplayed the risks and avoided direct communication with affected residents.
One internal agency document noted, "The occurrence of a cancer-cluster in [East Palestine] is not zero," and indicated a need for a "tripwire to identify cancer clusters." Internal communications also show that a FEMA-appointed Federal Coordinator was advised against direct engagement with the public or attending community meetings. This suggests a deliberate strategy to control information and minimize public alarm, even at the expense of transparency and resident well-being.
Whistleblowers have corroborated these concerns, criticizing the federal government for prematurely declaring the area safe and calling for extensive, long-term medical monitoring. The Government Accountability Project, which obtained many of these documents, alleges that FEMA's initial refusal of their FOIA request led to a lawsuit, underscoring the agency's reluctance to disclose the full extent of its knowledge.
Trump's Response and Call for Accountability
Former President Donald Trump visited East Palestine just weeks after the derailment, bringing bottled water and cleaning supplies. He criticized the federal response as a "betrayal" and pledged support to the community. Trump's visit was seen by many as a stark contrast to the perceived inaction of the Biden administration, and he used the opportunity to highlight what he called a failure of leadership.
Trump and his allies have consistently argued that the Biden administration's response was inadequate and that the federal government prioritized other concerns over the health and safety of East Palestine residents. They have called for a more robust federal intervention, including a major disaster declaration, to ensure long-term aid and health monitoring.
What Trump Should Do About It
The East Palestine disaster serves as a potent example of how bureaucratic indifference and political agendas can compound a crisis. For Trump, the path forward involves several key actions:
• Demand Full Transparency: Continue to press for the release of all government documents related to the disaster, ensuring residents have complete information about the environmental and health impacts.
• Advocate for Long-Term Health Monitoring: Push for comprehensive, federally funded health studies and medical monitoring programs for East Palestine residents, addressing the long-term health risks identified in the FOIA documents.
• Ensure Accountability: Hold Norfolk Southern and any government officials responsible for negligence or cover-ups accountable for their actions.
• Reform Disaster Response: Propose and implement reforms to federal disaster response protocols, ensuring that communities affected by chemical spills and environmental catastrophes receive immediate and appropriate assistance, regardless of the disaster's classification.
• Prioritize American Communities: Emphasize a clear "America First" approach to domestic crises, ensuring that the needs of American citizens are prioritized over foreign aid or political optics.
The people of East Palestine deserve more than political platitudes. They deserve transparency, justice, and unwavering support to rebuild their lives and ensure their long-term health and safety. The train wreck in East Palestine exposed a fundamental breakdown in trust between the government and its citizens, a trust that can only be restored through decisive action and genuine accountability.