Biden praises community, announces new NIH grants in first East Palestine visit

President Biden praised the East Palestine, Ohio, community during a visit to the town Friday, saying it was “absolutely amazing” what it rose to following the 2023 train derailment that caused a toxic chemical spill.

The president also condemned what he described as the “corporate negligence” that led to the derailment, which caused a train operated by Norfolk Southern Railway to spill toxic chemicals including vinyl chloride, a compound used in production of plastics. 

Saying the town had “been through hell,” Biden praised local and federal officials’ “Herculean” efforts in the wake of the crash.

The president conceded “there’s a lot more to do,” and vowed that the government would continue to support the community and “hold Norfolk Southern accountable. … What they cannot make whole, the government will make whole.”