Biden Ignored East Palestine Derailment, Residents Still Broken Over Lack of Government Response

East Palestine, Ohio – In a poignant town hall-style interview by Steve Bannon on his Friday WarRoom program, the ongoing aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train derailment was painfully highlighted by residents and regular WarRoom correspondent Ben Bergquam. The Friday WarRoom event, which took place in East Palestine, captured the voices of approximately 15-20 residents who shared harrowing tales of personal tragedy and bureaucratic neglect since the disaster unfolded in 2023 and their hope in President Donald Trump to show far greater concern for their situations than Joe Biden had shown.

Watch one of the most emotional moments:

"This Community Has Been Ravaged By Corruption And Lies.” East Palestine Residents’ Desperate Plea To President Trump @BenBergquam pic.twitter.com/osUB7DTdlZ

— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) January 17, 2025

The residents, including small business owners like Edwin Wang, who relocated his business to East Palestine in hopes of contributing to the local economy, expressed deep frustration over the lack of effective remediation and government intervention. Wang’s manufacturing plant, central to the contamination zone, has been left untouched by cleanup efforts, despite significant soil removal around it. “Nothing has been done to decontaminate the building itself,” Wang lamented, reflecting a broader sentiment of abandonment in the community.

Watch this opening clip:

East Palestine Resident Details How His Manufacturing Business Has Been Destroyed As A Result Of Norfolk Southern And Biden Admin Negligence @BenBergquam pic.twitter.com/3aqMo8WR5F

— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) January 17, 2025

Bergquam, on the ground with Bannon in the studio, brought to light the complexities and inadequacies of the government’s response. The $600 million class action settlement from Norfolk Southern was discussed as insufficient and poorly managed, with residents like one local who sold their home at a loss and moved several times, only to find the settlement process fraught with conditions that negated their rights to future claims.

The interview also shed light on the health implications of the disaster. A young woman named Jenna, now 19, recounted her health deteriorating, testing positive for vinyl chloride and benzene, chemicals from the derailment, leading to seizures and a hospital stay. The medical community’s response was criticized, with allegations of suppression from testing for these chemicals at the behest of higher authorities.

Bannon framed these narratives against the backdrop of the political landscape, particularly highlighting the nominations and hearings of figures like Kristi Noem, questioning their commitment to disaster-stricken communities like East Palestine. The conversation pivoted to the anticipated involvement of former President Donald Trump, suggesting his visit post-derailment as a pivotal moment in his 2024 campaign, emphasizing a contrast between what was perceived as neglect under the Biden administration and the promise of intervention by Trump.

Watch:

"We’re Going To Be Homeless Because Our Home Is Contaminated.” East Palestine Residents Detail How The Government Has Abandoned Them @BenBergquam pic.twitter.com/y0DdzHSPij

— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) January 17, 2025

The dialogue was not just about government response but also about the human cost. Residents called for immediate action like relocation, comprehensive medical coverage for chemical exposure, and stricter regulations on chemical transport. They also expressed a need for research into the health impacts.

As the show closed, the overarching theme from the victims of this tragedy was a plea for accountability, transparency, and genuine assistance from both corporate and governmental entities. Through their stories of loss and frustration, the residents of East Palestine show a community left to navigate a crisis with little support, hoping for change with the new political administration.

Friday’s WarRoom serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues in disaster management and as a call to action for politicians, corporations, and communities nationwide to address the fundamental human impacts of industrial mishaps.