EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — President Joe Biden was in Ohio Friday to visit the East Palestine community more than one year after the toxic train derailment involving Norfolk Southern.
3News had complete coverage of President Biden's visit with live video inside this story and our YouTube channel (subscribe here).
11 p.m. Neil Fischer spoke with East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway about the president's visit.
"This was needed a year ago, this was needed six months ago, it was needed now, and you know, it'll be needed tomorrow," Conaway said. "We needed to get this ball rolling, and we have these health concerns, and we need the president — not necessarily the president, but the federal government — to step up and do some of these things as far as health care. I'm not saying pay for it; I'm just saying take care of it, get the studies done, find out the long-term effects of being exposed to vinyl chloride."
6 p.m. We have team coverage of President Biden's visit to East Palestine from our Isabel Lawrence and Lindsay Buckingham to start off 3News at 6.
5:35 p.m. Per the pool reporter, President Biden has made a stop at the 1820 House Candle Company in East Palestine. Melissa Smith, the owner of the company, planned to give the president a floral candle to present to First Lady Jill Biden as a gift. President Biden also spoke with a woman who is in charge of a health clinic in the village.
PHOTO GALLERY: You can see all of the images of President Biden's visit to East Palestine below.
4:39 p.m. President Biden steps to the podium to make remarks in East Palestine. Also speaking at the event is U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan and East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway.
Addressing residents, Biden said he wants them to understand “that we're not going home, no matter what, until this job is done, and it's not done yet.” He did not explain why he didn't visit sooner nor did he address the community's collective hurt.
He praised what he said were “Herculean efforts” and announced federal grants to study the short- and long-term effects of what happened.
You can watch the president's complete remarks below.
4:27 p.m. President Biden has arrived in East Palestine and is receiving a briefing on the continuing response and recovery efforts from last year's toxic train derailment. Per the pool report, those taking part in the briefing with the president include:
- Administrator Michael Regan, Environmental Protection Agency
- Mayor Trent Conaway, East Palestine
- Jim McPherson, Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, FEMA
- Keith Drabick, East Palestine Fire Chief
- Peggy Clark, Director of Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency
- Debra Shore, Region 5 EPA Administrator
- Tom Sivak, Region 5 FEMA Administrator
4 p.m. 3News' Lindsay Buckingham checks in from East Palestine as the community prepares for President Biden's arrival.
3:54 p.m. 3News' Isabel Lawrence is standing by in East Palestine as the town awaits the arrival of President Biden.
3:25 p.m. President Biden arrives at the Darlington Municipal Complex in Darlington, PA. According to the pool report, Biden greeted firefighters and city officials.
"God made man, then he made a few firefighters," Biden reportedly said as he walked in.
2:21 p.m. Air Force One arrives with President Biden at Pittsburgh International Airport.
12:27 p.m. 3News' Isabel Lawrence spoke to a member of River Valley Organizing. The group is carrying signs reading "we need healthcare" and "Biden do the right thing!"
12:15 p.m. 3News' Isabel Lawrence is talking with residents on North Market Street in East Palestine in anticipation of President Biden's arrival later today. Some tell her they are skeptical of Biden's visit, wondering if he is there to help, or just campaigning.
11:45 a.m. 3News' Isabel Lawrence is in downtown East Palestine as people start gathering ahead of President Biden's arrival. Many of the signs read, "too little too late." Other people could be seen waving flags and holding signs supporting Donald Trump.
Our cameras also captured Donald Trump supporters lining the streets of East Palestine.
East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway previously told the Associated Press that he extended an invitation to President Biden.
"I'm as red as they come. I'm as conservative as they come. Sometimes I have to do what's best for the people so, yes, that's why I invited him," Conaway said in the AP interview.
Biden's plan to visit, which marks his first time in East Palestine since the train derailment, was announced back on Jan. 31. Here's more from the White House:
"Under President Biden’s leadership, within hours of the derailment, the Environmental Protection Agency deployed a team of trained emergency response personnel to East Palestine to aid state and local emergency and environmental response efforts. The Department of Transportation also arrived on scene within hours to support the National Transportation Safety Board in their independent investigation of the derailment. The Department of Health and Human Services worked alongside state and local health departments to conduct public health testing and offer technical assistance. Throughout the response and recovery process, the Administration has continued to closely coordinate with the Ohio Governor, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Health and local partners, including the Village of East Palestine and Columbiana County.
"As President Biden has said from the beginning, the Administration will continue to support the people of East Palestine and other affected communities for as long as it takes, including by using every available tool to hold Norfolk Southern accountable. President Biden pledged he would make Norfolk Southern clean up its mess in East Palestine, and his Administration is delivering. Last February, EPA ordered Norfolk Southern to clean up all environmental damage caused by the derailment, including cleaning or disposing of contaminated soil and water, as well as reimbursing the Federal government’s response costs. In September, President Biden issued an Executive Order directing that Norfolk Southern continue to be held accountable for the derailment and address any long-term effects to the community, and ensuring Federal assistance is available to affected communities should needs develop that are not met by Norfolk Southern.
"At the same time, the Administration has taken action to improve rail safety and continues to call on Congress to do their part by passing the Bipartisan Railway Safety Act."
Former President Donald Trump paid a visit to East Palestine last year on Feb. 22.
"To the people of East Palestine and nearby communities in Ohio and Pennsylvania, we have told you loud and clear you are not forgotten," he said.