“You are not forgotten,” was former President Donald Trump’s message to the residents of East Palestine, Ohio, on Wednesday. Nearly three weeks after the train derailment that sparked an intense political debate over America’s infrastructure, the 2024 presidential candidate visited the previously obscure community of East Palestine, calling attention to President Biden’s failure to do the same.
“I sincerely hope that when your representatives and all of the politicians get here, including Biden, they get back from touring Ukraine, that he’s got some money left over,” Trump joked in a press conference highlighting the federal government’s failed response to the accident. “The Biden administration should ensure that every family has the option of moving, and homes, and everything else until this thing is straightened out.”
Many residents in the area had previously been evacuated following the accident on February 3. The wrecked train carried hazardous materials, forcing “a controlled burn of the chemicals, which sent a large plume of black smoke into the sky.” An estimated 1,500-2,000 citizens were made to leave their homes.
The Biden administration and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg were widely slammed for ignoring the catastrophe and instead focusing on other efforts. Mr. Biden, for example, visited President Zelinsky in Ukraine earlier this week, and Secretary Buttigieg focused on the alleged problem of too many white males in construction jobs. Many deduced that this signaled the Biden administration’s lack of concern for the issues that impact everyday Americans.
But when the federal government and media turned their backs, Trump stepped up.
In addition to speaking with the people of East Palestine, he committed to donating cleaning supplies and bottled water to the community.
He also bought first responders and patrons lunch at a local McDonald’s.
Donald Trump to McDonald’s workers in East Palestine, Ohio:
— The Recount (@therecount) February 22, 2023
“I know this menu better than you do. I probably know it better than anybody in here.” pic.twitter.com/fQTkZdNmBs
Mr. Trump’s behavior should remind our political “betters” in D.C. that they were elected to serve the American people. Unfortunately, the pervasive mentality in Washington continues to be that our politicians are there to advance their careers, line their pockets, and pursue their agendas.
And that is why we need a Convention of States.
Through Article V of the U.S. Constitution, We the People can impose term limits, fiscal restraints, and other power-limiting restrictions on our bloated federal government. In order to call a Convention, we need 34 states to sign on; more than half have already done so, and several more are actively considering Convention of States resolutions. If you want to put the dysfunction, overreach, and corruption of our federal government to an end – and remind the bureaucrats in D.C. who they were elected to serve – sign the Convention of States petition below to make a difference.
