Fact Check: "Biden told FEMA there was no money for Americans in Palestine, Ohio"
What We Know
The claim that President Biden stated there was "no money for Americans in Palestine, Ohio" is misleading and lacks context. Following the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3, 2023, the Biden administration initiated a comprehensive response to support the affected community. This included mobilizing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to address the environmental and public health impacts of the incident (source-1, source-2).
In September 2023, President Biden issued an Executive Order directing FEMA to appoint a Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator to assess the needs of the community and ensure that federal assistance is available for any unmet needs not addressed by Norfolk Southern, the company responsible for the derailment (source-1, source-4).
Analysis
The assertion that Biden told FEMA there was no money for Americans in East Palestine is a misrepresentation of the situation. While it is true that FEMA's immediate financial assistance may not have been activated at the time of the claim, this does not equate to a lack of support or resources for the affected community. The Biden administration has actively coordinated a multi-agency response, which includes ongoing cleanup efforts and health monitoring (source-2, source-8).
Furthermore, the claim has been evaluated by various fact-checking organizations, which have concluded that it is misleading. For instance, a recent fact-check indicated that while FEMA assistance may not have been immediately available, significant federal resources were mobilized to support the community (source-7).
The sources used in this analysis include official government statements and reputable news outlets, which lend credibility to the information presented. The White House and FEMA's official communications provide a clear picture of the administration's actions and intentions regarding the East Palestine incident.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that President Biden told FEMA there was no money for Americans in Palestine, Ohio, is misleading. While FEMA's immediate financial assistance may not have been activated, the Biden administration has taken significant steps to support the affected community through a coordinated federal response. This includes ongoing cleanup efforts and the appointment of a Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator to assess and address unmet needs.
Sources
- FACT SHEET: President Biden Issues Executive Order to ...
- Executive Order on Ensuring the People of East Palestine ...
- Governor DeWine Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration ...
- President Biden Issues Executive Order to Protect People in ...
- East Palestine Update - 7/05/23
- FOIA Request 2024-00702: East Palestine, OH Norfolk ...
- Fact Check: Biden told FEMA there was no money for Americans ...
- White House explains why it turned down disaster relief for Ohio