Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Friday evening that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will send resources to East Palestine, Ohio, The Hill first reported. This comes after FEMA rejected Dewine’s request for help earlier this week.
In a statement to Fox News, a Biden administration official explained that “what East Palestine needs is much more expansive than what FEMA can provide.”
“FEMA is on the frontlines when there is a hurricane or tornado,” the official said. “This situation is different.”
This makes zero sense. Biden White House says Ohio needs lots of assistance … and therefore they are denying them FEMA aid. Brain deadhttps://t.co/3kNv6ajbgY
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) February 17, 2023
The situation appears to have changed.
In a joint statement last night with FEMA Regional Administrator Thomas Sivak, Dewine said that today, “FEMA will supplement federal efforts by deploying a Senior Response Official along with a Regional Incident Management Assistance Team to support ongoing operations, including incident coordination and ongoing assessments of potential long-term recovery needs.”
This comes after Fox News reported yesterday that former President Donald Trump plans to visit East Palestine on Wednesday, according to a source close to Trump.
Independent journalist Kyle Becker noted that the joint DeWine-Sivak statement occurred exactly one minute after the timestamp in the Fox News article announcing Trump’s indenting to visit.
Others also wondered whether FEMA’s decision to intervene was related.
Trump announces he’s visiting East Palestine and FEMA immediately announces they will send federal resources.
There’s no way that’s a coincidence.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 18, 2023
BREAKING: Just MOMENTS after Donald Trump announced his trip to East Palestine, FEMA reversed their decision and will FINALLY send federal aid!
— Antonio Sabato Jr (@AntonioSabatoJr) February 18, 2023
The Biden administration also announced on Friday that it would send medical personnel and toxicologists to East Palestine from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Since the February 3 derailment and controlled burn three days later, multiple reports emerged of dead fish and wildlife in the area.
“All the people that were displaced have no food, water, a place to stay,” said TikToker @nymphyyeatsteef. “It is so much worse than what they’re telling you.” The TikToker added that churches were asking for donations and food since FEMA and the Red Cross never showed up.
Graywolf12
February 19, 2023 at 7:42 am
Time to vote out those so greedy they refuse help because of votes. People of Ohio and Western Pa remember this when you vote in the future.
Oregon Grown
February 19, 2023 at 7:44 am
Is this a predomitly Republician community? Just more thought for Bidens team to give thought to.
Drosack
February 19, 2023 at 9:55 am
Now that’s my President.
Crankshaft
February 20, 2023 at 7:34 am
Again DJT shows what TRUE PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP IS!!
“president” joke biden?? Meh…..not so much!!
Orange peel
February 21, 2023 at 7:50 am
Biden hands millions to Ukraine but said no to Ohio. Biden is not a American President.Just another democrat who hates people who did not vote for him. Biden has no honor when it comes to the American people.FEMA is just another political department run by uncaring people who just picks and chooses who will get help. Democrats are screwing over the American people.
dw
February 20, 2023 at 8:21 am
Joe has to go to Ukraine to protect his 10%. He can’t be bothered by the people who pays his salary and has sworn to protect.
Katie
February 20, 2023 at 2:03 pm
You hit the proverbial nail on the head!!
Doug Litchfield
February 20, 2023 at 8:23 am
Maybe democrats would like DJT to show at their next train wreck of a convention. Adult supervision and diaper changing sorely needs some coordination.
JerryDV
February 20, 2023 at 8:30 am
Joe goes to the Ukraine while AMERICANS are suffering in Ohio and Western PA? Shame on you Brandon. Congratulations to Donald Trump whose mere announcement he’d be visiting the suffering Ohioans and Pennsylvanians brought immediate action from FEMA.