The politics around East Palestine

How politics are invading the response to a train derailment.

View this email online February 25, 2023 This week, we looked at the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment and President Biden's secret visit to Ukraine. Plus, baklava.  The Big Picture: Political train wreck Michael Swensen/Getty Images There have been two train wrecks in East Palestine, Ohio.  One substantive: a train derailment and subsequent chemical burn-off that has potentially jeopardized the health of understandably angered residents of the town. The other: political. As President Biden traveled to Ukraine, many Republicans criticized him for going there instead of East Palestine. Former President Trump showed up in the town, giving out campaign hats, Trump-branded water and Trump-branded insults of Biden.  Under political pressure, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg made his own trek to the town this week. He fielded questions from reporters, met with local leaders and swatted back at Trump. “One thing he can do is express support for reversing the deregulation that happened on his watch,” Buttigieg said of Trump’s reversal of an Obama-implemented rule that required trains carrying hazardous materials to be retrofitted with electronically controlled braking systems.  There’s no evidence that rule would have prevented this particular derailment, and the Transportation Department could have reinstituted the rule any time in the two years since Biden became president. But other safety measures could have helped, contended Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board. She called what happened “100% preventable.” But conservatives, who have descended on the town, haven’t offered much in the way of support for any regulations to try and prevent such a disaster in the future. “Enough with the politics,” Homendy said, adding, “This is a community that is suffering. This is not about politics. This is about addressing their needs, their concerns. That’s what this should be about.” — Domenico Montanaro, NPR’s senior political editor/correspondent Read More Newsletter continues after sponsor message ICYMI: Top Stories Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images Biden’s Ukraine trip: President Biden made a secret visit to Kyiv this week, an audacious and somewhat risky trip aimed at expressing solidarity with Ukrainians as Russia's invasion of their country heads into a second year. Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and announced a half a billion dollars of additional assistance to Ukraine.  Debt ceiling divide: American voters are in favor of raising the debt ceiling, but are divided on how to pay down the national debt, the latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll finds. By a 52%-to-46% margin, registered voters said they support raising the debt ceiling. But, like members of Congress, Americans are divided on the best approach to reduce that debt. Section 230 at SCOTUS: The Supreme Court heard arguments this week in a case that could revolutionize the architecture of the internet and social media companies. At issue in the case is a 1996 law that shields internet platforms from being sued for material that appears on their sites. Virginia special election: Virginia Democratic state Sen. Jennifer McClellan won the special House election in the state's 4th Congressional District this week. Her victory makes her the first Black woman to represent the state in Congress. Plea bargains: In any given year, 98% of criminal cases in the federal courts end with a plea bargain, according to a new report from the American Bar Association. The ABA says the practice prizes efficiency over fairness and innocence.  — Brandon Carter, NPR Politics social media producer It all comes down to you Your financial support is the NPR Network's greatest strength. You keep the facts flowing. You bring more stories to more ears. You make a real difference when you contribute to independent, trustworthy media. Please donate today.    The Shot: Baklava's back in Turkey Claire Harbage/NPR A family-run baklava business in Gaziantep, Turkey, had to close up shop for the first time in its 90-year history following an earthquake that devastated the country in early February. The Cagdas family kebab shop and bakery survived the quake, and reopened as a charity restaurant, feeding thousands in the community free of charge. Twenty-four-year-old Burhan Cagdas said baklava became "more of a luxury than a need" for a while. But nine days after the disaster hit, the family brought their famous baklava back. "This dessert is the symbol of this city," Cagdas said. "Things are getting better because people can work, and people can produce baklava." — Dustin Jones, NPR Digital News reporter Read More Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WBEZ (edit station). What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprpolitics@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Politics emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy