Biden claims he still has had 'the occasion' to visit East Palestine following toxic train derailment
President Joe Biden said Saturday that has has not had an "occasion" to visit East Palestine, Ohio, months after a toxic train derailment.
Biden shared the response with a reporter during his visit in Florida following Hurrican Idalia.
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Biden: 'I Haven't Had the Occasion to Go to East Palestine' https://t.co/HgmKZukaaV
— Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) September 4, 2023
The response
"I haven’t had the occasion to go to East Palestine. There’s a lot going on here, and I just haven’t been able to break. I was thinking about I’d go to East Palestine this week but then I was reminded I’ve gotta go literally around the world," Biden said.
"I’m going from, from Washington to India to Vietnam to — and so it’s gonna be awhile but we’re making sure that East Palestine has what they need materially in order to deal with their problems," he added.
Biden when asked why he hasn’t visited the people of East Palestine, Ohio in 6 months since the toxic derailment:
“I haven’t had the occasion to go to East Palestine”
“I’m going to India, to Vietnam. There’s a lot going on”
Vacation 40% of his term🏖️https://t.co/ZXF1mJb57F pic.twitter.com/AmWGgOta1z
— ♱🇺🇸𝕄𝔸𝔾𝔸 𝑵𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒚 ن (@45LVNancy) September 3, 2023
Vacationer-in-Chief?
The response is frustrating to many Americans who see Biden spending more time on vacation than serving the nation.
"This Labor Day weekend, Biden once again plans to be 10 toes up at his Rehoboth Beach summer home — after a short trip to Florida to view Hurricane Idalia’s wreckage," the New York Post reported.
"As of last Sunday, Biden has spent all or part of 382 of his presidency’s 957 days – or 40% — on personal overnight trips away from the White House, putting him on pace to become America’s most idle commander-in-chief, according to data calculated by the Republican National Committee and confirmed by The Post using White House reports of Biden’s movements," it added.
WATCH: Despite Over 350 Days On Vacation, Joe Biden Says He Just Hasn't 'Been Able To Break' To Visit East Palestinehttps://t.co/NGbfqJKzaF
— Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) September 3, 2023
How much longer?
"A whole 211 days after the disastrous trail derailment that took place in East Palestine, Ohio that spilled toxic sewage into the city’s water system and natural environment and 184 days since President Joe Biden promised that he would visit, he still has not due to 'a lot going on,'" the DC Enquirer reported.
The toxic train derailment was among the worst in the nation's history, leading to health concerns in the small Ohio community that remain unanswered.
Biden's answer didn't satisfy many Americans upset over his lack of response to both East Palestine and other recent national disasters.
The ongoing slow responses could become a major issue for the president as he seeks a second term in the White House in 2024.