POTUS In East Palestine.

For over a year, President, Biden waited for what the White House said was the right moment to visit East Palestine, facing criticism that he was ignoring the victims of an explosive fire caused by a train derailment. Today, the president goes to the village of 5,000 at the invitation of its mayor and as the Environmental Protection Agency is on the verge of finishing an extensive cleanup, paid for by the train company, Norfolk Southern. Republicans have blasted Biden for not visiting sooner and there are some enduring tensions in the community. The President is venturing into Republican territory amid a reelection campaign. Aides say it’s a chance for him to hear from the community, talk about his efforts to hold Norfolk Southern accountable and push for passage of a rail safety law. A number of administration officials have visited over the past year. There will be a separate rally for former President Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner. Trump won nearly 72% of the vote in Ohio’s Columbiana County, which includes East Palestine.