Donald Trump Visits Ohio Town After Train Derailment, Says Officials 'Indifferent'

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has visited the town in Ohio affected by the toxic train derailment.

Trump claimed his visit to East Palestine, Ohio has prompted U.S. President Joe Biden's administration to allot more resources to the crash causing a toxic spillage.

The former president met East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway and donated water bottles and cleaning supplies while also criticizing the federal government and describing the government's response to the town as "betrayal," according to BBC News.

Trump was accompanied by his son Donald Trump Jr., and Ohio Republican Senator JD Vance, with Rep. Bill Johnson.

The former president said that the town's "goodness and perseverance" are met with "indifference and betrayal."

Trump went on to say that the federal government "changed their tune" when they found out that he was coming to East Palestine, Ohio.

His short speech also noted that the town residents will not be forgotten and that what the community needs are "not excuses" but answers and results.

White House Hits Back on Donald Trump's Visit

The White House has replied to Trump's criticisms by pinning the blame on the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress for withdrawing the rail safety measure imposed during former President Barack Obama's administration.

The rail safety measures were designed to prevent such disasters, according to the White House spokesman Andrew Bates's statement to USA Today.

Bates was pertaining to the 2015 proposal the Trump administration withdrew, which required advanced braking systems on trains carrying highly flammable materials.

The Trump administration also ended regular safety audits of railroads and trashed a proposal to require at least two crew members on freight trains.

However, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, Jennifer Homendy, said that the brake rule would not have prevented the train derailment as it was meant for highly flammable containments,

In addition, she argued that the train did not meet the requirement of carrying 20 or more loaded tank cars.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will be visiting the Ohio town on Thursday.

Ohio Train Derailment

Residents were temporarily evacuated from the area two days later for the controlled burn of the chemicals, which sent visible black smoke into the sky.

Health officials have also been monitoring the air and water in the area. Some residents have reported experiencing nausea, headache, red eyes, and rashes.

A local doctor, Nicholas Proia, known to be a pulmonologist in the area and a clinical professor of internal medicine at Northern Ohio Medical University, said that the main thing to monitor now and in the future was water.

The chemicals causing concern were reported to include butyl acrylate and vinyl chloride, which authorities believe could set off a major explosion.

In addition, vinyl chloride is a carcinogen used to make the hard plastic resin, known as PVC, used for car parts, wires, and cables.

Many of the residents said they are still afraid and anxious despite assurances from government officials that the air and drinking water are safe.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Trump vows to stand with East Palestine community after Ohio derailment tragedy - from Fox News