Buttigieg, DOJ Criticized For Ohio Train Derailment Response

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is facing criticism for the federal response to a train derailment in Ohio that forced 2,000 people to evacuate their homes and has some worried about potential ecological damage and health risks from hazardous chemicals released from the wreckage.

Key Quotes: Sen. Marco Rubio called on Biden to fire Buttigieg for his handling of the incident, writing in a letter to the president that “serious and persistent problems across the DOT are not being sufficiently remedied. I do not have confidence that Secretary Buttigieg is capable of keeping the American people safe.” Responding to the Ohio incident, Buttigieg cited deregulation during the Trump Administration as contributing to railroad safety shortcomings, tweeting that he is “always ready to work with Congress on furthering (or in some cases, restoring) our capacity to address rail safety issues.”

For Context: According to Reuters, the White House sent a team of medical personnel and toxicologists to conduct assessments of the region where the train derailed. This is not the first time Buttigieg and the DOT have come under fire. In December, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle called on Buttigieg and the DOT to better moderate air transportation after a logistical breakdown at Southwest Airlines left thousands of travelers stranded.

How The Media Covered It: Continuing coverage of the Ohio train crash is being seen across the spectrum. Right-rated outlets have been far more likely to focus specifically on Buttigieg, highlighting past criticisms of the secretary.