Fact Check: Biden told FEMA there was no money for Americans in palestine Ohio

Fact Check: "Biden told FEMA there was no money for Americans in Palestine, Ohio"

What We Know

The claim that "Biden told FEMA there was no money for Americans in Palestine, Ohio" appears to be a misrepresentation of the federal response to the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which occurred on February 3, 2023. Following the derailment, President Biden's administration mobilized a multi-agency effort to support the affected communities, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (Executive Order, FACT SHEET).

While it is true that FEMA does not typically provide direct financial aid for every disaster, especially in cases like this where the incident is classified differently, the agency has been involved in incident management and outreach support (source-6). Furthermore, President Biden has issued directives ensuring that Norfolk Southern is held accountable for the cleanup and that federal assistance is available for unmet needs in the community (Executive Order, FACT SHEET).

Analysis

The assertion that Biden told FEMA there was "no money" for Americans in East Palestine lacks context and is misleading. FEMA's role in this incident has been primarily focused on coordinating with state and local agencies rather than providing direct financial aid to individuals. This aligns with FEMA's operational guidelines, which often prioritize immediate response and recovery efforts over direct financial assistance in certain types of disasters (source-5, source-6).

Moreover, the Biden administration has been proactive in addressing the aftermath of the derailment. For instance, the EPA has overseen extensive cleanup efforts and has mandated Norfolk Southern to clean up the environmental damage caused by the derailment (FACT SHEET). The administration has also committed to ongoing support for the residents of East Palestine, indicating a willingness to address any unmet needs that arise (Executive Order, FACT SHEET).

The sources supporting the claim about Biden's statement do not provide credible evidence or context to substantiate it. Instead, credible reports confirm that the federal government has been actively involved in the response and recovery efforts in East Palestine, contrary to the claim made (source-6, source-4).

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that "Biden told FEMA there was no money for Americans in Palestine, Ohio" is misleading and lacks context. While FEMA's direct financial assistance may not apply in this case, the Biden administration has mobilized significant resources to support the affected community and ensure accountability from Norfolk Southern. The narrative presented does not accurately reflect the federal response or the ongoing efforts to assist the residents of East Palestine.