Trump criticizes Biden's mal-funding, driving focus to Ohio

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Former US President Donald Trump addressed gatherers in East Palestine's concerns and bashed current US President Joe Biden's decision to fund the war in Ukraine rather than shift his focus to his own people's suffering. The former President hoped that when Biden is "back from touring Ukraine", he would have money left over for East Palestine.

Trump focused his speech on criticizing Biden's administration for the incident, highlighting the current president's constant refusal to act in the aftermath of the "controlled release" of toxic chemicals in the open air following the train derailment earlier this month. He called Biden's administration on its "indifference and betrayal". 

Read more: Congress must intervene to prevent 'devastating' US rail strike: Biden

With Presiden Biden on his trip to Ukraine discussing how to send more arms to support it in the war, in a widely-discussed speech delivered on Wednesday, Trump drew attention to the fact that it was strange that Biden did not plan to aid his citizens in any way possible and dismissed their needs. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) claimed that they are on the frontlines when there is a hurricane or a tornado, pointing out that the situation in East Palestine is different and requires much more resources than what they can provide. 

Trump emphasized that residents require answers and solutions rather than excuses, urging officials to fulfill their responsibilities and obligations.

Read more: Your mess to clean up: Biden to Ohio rail operator

He also heavily highlighted President Biden's absence, hoping that when he gets back from funding a war in Ukraine, he'll have money left over for the residents of East Palestine with funding for Ukraine reaching $117 billion so far.

“I sincerely hope that when your representatives and all of the politicians – including Biden – [when] they get back from touring Ukraine, that he’s got some money left over,” Trump continued. “Cause now we’re at $117 billion, as you probably know.”

Read more: Biden pledges additional $625 mln for Ukraine

The ex-president pointed out that when FEMA heard that Trump was coming to the area, their claim that the situation in East Palestine doesn't fit the criteria quickly changed as though they planned to make a difference after all, calling it a "quick rapid change" from the federal government's previous decision to ignore the issue.

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who pledged to visit the town but refuses to set a date, faced a ton of criticism for how the situation is being handled. Yet, he still subtly took a go at Trump in an interview with Politico published Wednesday, hinting that Trump may be using the people of East Palestine to bash the current federal government.

Democrats took the chance to portray the derailment as Trump's fault since his administration loosened railroad regulations on railroad companies when he was in power. The White House went as far as to accuse the former president of selling East Palestine out to rail industry lobbyists and demanded an apology.

Trump pledged that if the current government does not give residents the treatment they need, he will be back.