(NewsNation) — Independent presidential candidate RFK Jr. is taking on both Norfolk Southern and the federal government in the aftermath of a train derailment that wreaked havoc in East Palestine one year ago, leaving a community devastated.
RFK Jr., representing a thousand affected families, not only filed a lawsuit against the railway company but also sharply criticized President Joe Biden‘s response to the incident.
In an exclusive interview with NewsNation, RFK Jr. expressed frustration with the lack of attention from the Biden administration. Despite promises to visit the site, Biden has not yet made the trip.
“I would have been in East Palestine the next day, even if I didn’t put on a respirator. I would have certainly gone to East Palestine before I went to Ukraine,” RFK Jr. said. “I hate that President Biden has spent more time with President Zelenskyy than he has with the people of East Palestine.”
Biden will visit the site of a train derailment that spilled hazardous chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, in February, according to a senior administration official.
NewsNation has been committed to covering the fallout of the East Palestine train derailment over the last year. Here are the most recent updates:
- East Palestine health issues persist one year after Ohio train derailment
- East Palestine creeks visibly contaminated year after train derailment
- President Biden to visit site of East Palestine toxic train wreck
- Cleanup costs exceed $1 billion Norfolk Southern announced layoffs
- Ohio train derailment: Have cleanup demands been met year later?
- East Palestine considering accepting wastewater
- Norfolk Southern joins safety hotline that protects workers
Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio has requested Biden to declare the situation a disaster, allowing federal funds to aid the recovery efforts.
“The President hasn’t paid attention, and the federal response has been utterly inadequate. We’ve just had $113 billion to Ukraine; We need that money here,” RFK Jr. said.
NewsNation questioned RFK Jr. about his potential course of action if elected president, particularly regarding East Palestine, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Kennedy outlined plans for significant restructuring.
“I’m going to reorganize both agencies. The EPA is a captured agency. It’s captured by the chemical industry, in some cases by the rail industry, by the oil industry, and by Big Ag. I’m going to reorganize it so it starts working for the American people again,” RFK Jr. said.
RFK Jr. has sued just about every 3 letter federal agency and if he wins the presidency, he would of course have to recuse himself from the case.