(CBrief) – President Joe Biden said on Friday that he won’t be taking time out to go and visit residents of East Palestine, the Ohio community devastated earlier this month by a train derailment that caused a massive toxic chemical spill.

An overheated wheel bearing on the 23rd rail car out of 149 was responsible for the catastrophic train derailment that occurred in a small Ohio community on February 3. Following the incident, local authorities took swift action to ensure public safety by evacuating all residents within a one-mile radius of the accident. In addition, they initiated a controlled burn of the vinyl chloride, which the train was carrying, to prevent a potentially massive explosion from happening, reports noted.

Five train cars released large plumes of black smoke containing vinyl chloride, a known human carcinogen used to produce PVC, which could be seen throughout eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.

In response to questions from reporters about whether he intended to visit the town, Biden answered “no” while defending his administration’s handling of the situation. “We’re doing all we can,” he added.

“Biden’s decision to not visit the town comes after Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has faced intense criticism over his response, or lack thereof, to the incident,” the Daily Wire noted.

Earlier this week, former President Donald Trump arrived to provide aid in the aftermath of a train derailment and personally helped with the delivery of numerous truckloads of bottled water to the area. According to John Rourke, CEO of Blue Line Moving, the company transported a total of 13 pallets of water pallets to East Palestine to assist the small town.

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told Breitbart News, “President Trump is meeting with the citizens of East Palestine, and he will never forget them and what they are going through. Contrast that with Biden and the federal government, who have failed them from the beginning.”

“Cleanup crews ended up igniting five train cars to get rid of toxic chemicals in a controlled environment, which created a menacing plume of thick smoke that resembled a mushroom cloud. Images of the controlled detonation were later circulated on social media, sparking concerns around the nation. The incident resulted in about half of the town’s population being ordered to evacuate. While residents have since been told they are allowed to return to their homes, many are still concerned and want answers — but Biden and Buttigieg are nowhere to be found,” Breitbart added.

Several local residents also showed up before Trump’s official arrival and made it clear they were fed up with Biden.

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