Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized President Joe Biden for not visiting East Palestine, Ohio, after a train derailment and toxic fire devastated the community.

Pence blasted the president for instead traveling to Ukraine to offer more financial support.

(Washington Examiner):#Ohio train derailment: #Pence slams Biden for not visiting East Palestine : Former Vice President Mike Pence chided President Joe Biden on Wednesday for not visiting East Palestine, Ohio, in the wake of a .. https://t.co/TIAu5JaPF5

— NewsOnePlace.com (@newsoneplace) February 23, 2023

The comments

It really is remarkable when you think about the fact that it's going to be three weeks since that train derailment and all the hardship that those families in East Palestine have faced before," Pence told Fox News host Martha MacCallum. "This is one more example of ‘absent without leadership’ in the Biden administration."

He continued, "The truth is, Biden's policies on this economy derailed the economy of East Palestine long before that train came through — I mean, this is coal country in eastern Ohio, Martha, and the record inflation that people have faced, the war on energy people have faced, has presented an incredible hardship."

According to the Washington Examiner, the Department of Transportation is "now leading an investigation into Norfolk Southern, the company running the derailed train."

The report also noted, "The Environmental Protection Agency also announced Tuesday night that Norfolk Southern had agreed to cover the full cost of the cleanup and toxic material disposal."

Pence torches 'AWOL' Biden: He 'derailed' Ohio long before failure to address train spill crisis | Fox News https://t.co/ly61vgdUzH

— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) February 23, 2023

The consequences

The consequences of Biden's actions could come back to hurt him in the 2024 presidential election. Former President Donald Trump has already launched a comeback bid that included his own visit to East Palestine on Wednesday.

The former president brought trucks of bottled water, shook hands with locals, and offered remarks at a local fire station as part of his effort to show who he said "the real president" is.

President Trump visits the people of East Palestine, Ohio and brings them water & supplies while Joe Biden only cares about pushing more war and US money in Ukraine.

Thank you President Trump for continuing to show what America First looks like. 🇺🇸

pic.twitter.com/C3jFZS1A3t

— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) February 22, 2023

In addition to Trump, both former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy have announced a Republican run for 2024.

Pence is among others speculated to launch a run in 2024. Others speculated to run included former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The attacks are expected to continue ramping up as Biden's lack of leadership leaves him open to criticisms and campaigning ahead of the next election.