Trump’s Political Opportunism is an Insult to Ohioans
Donald Trump’s campaign stop in East Palestine prompted the following statement from Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga:
“Donald Trump’s visit to East Palestine today is nothing more than a political stunt while he has offered no solutions to help the good people of East Palestine affected by this disaster. While president, Mr. Trump allowed his administration to roll back rail safety regulations which have put every American living near a railroad track at risk. Mr. Trump’s shameless attempt to reap political benefit from the hardship being experienced in this community is not surprising. However, if Mr. Trump truly wants to be helpful in reducing train derailments, we encourage him to call for the rail companies to end their stock buybacks and put the needed resources into increasing staffing and strengthening the very regulations that Trump stripped away.”
News outlets and former officials have also taken issue with Trump’s visit and his former administration’s rail deregulation. Of course, Trump failed to mention such deregulation while in East Palestine. However, who did speak about that was Republican and former EPA Director under President Obama, Ray LaHood, to Politico. “It’s clear that it’s a political stunt. If he wants to visit, he’s a citizen. But clearly his regulations and the elimination of them, and no emphasis on safety, is going to be pointed out.”