Biden slated to visit East Palestine, Ohio, about a year after train derailment debacle

President Joe Biden is slated to visit East Palestine, Ohio, sometime next month, according to the White House, meaning that his trip will take place around a year after the February 2023 train derailment.

Following the derailment, vinyl chloride was released from several tank cars and burned in a bid to prevent a possible explosion, reports indicate.

"In February, President Biden will travel to East Palestine, Ohio, to meet with residents impacted by the Norfolk Southern train derailment, discuss Federal support to the community, and hold Norfolk Southern accountable," according to a White House press release.

During a Wednesday briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean Pierre said the mayor and community leaders had invited 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," Mayor Trent Conaway said, according to the Associated Press.

Fox News Channel's "Special Report" noted on Wednesday that earlier this month, Trent had indicated that the "best time" for Biden "to come would be February of 2025 when he is on his book tour," and that "the President is always welcome to our town," but "I don’t know what he would do here now."

In comments aired on Wednesday's "Special Report," Trent said that he had written a letter around a month ago noting that he believed Biden needed to visit and witness what is happening. When Kelly Saberi of Fox Business asked Trent if he stood by his book tour comment, he said he fully stood behind what he had said. Trent also said that he thinks the best time for Biden to visit would have been when the episode actually occurred.

In a post on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump, who visited the area just weeks after the wreck in February last year, blasted Biden.

"With the World blowing up around us, with the Middle East on FIRE, Biden has finally decided to visit East Palestine, Ohio, a year late, and only to develop some political credibility because EVERYTHING else he has done has been such a DISASTER. I know those great people, I was there when it counted, and his reception won't be a warm one. Worst President in History!" Trump declared in the post.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!