Sneaky Pete: Watch Buttigieg Visit East Palestine At Crack of Dawn to Get Photo-Op, Team Avoids Questions in Heated Interaction

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visited the small Ohio town of East Palestine to survey the damage caused by the Norfolk Southern train derailment that occurred on February 3rd. After nearly three weeks, the embattled secretary finally faced the scene of his biggest failure, notably a day after 45th President Donald Trump visited the town to bring thousands of donations from water to cleaning supplies.

Buttigieg appeared alongside officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as the NTSB report on the train derailment is set to be released on Thursday shining a light on how the train derailed.

“This morning I’m in East Palestine, Ohio, to see the site of the Norfolk Southern derailment, hear updates from investigators, and meet first responders,” the Secretary of Transportation wrote. “USDOT will continue its work to ensure safety and accountability.”

This morning I’m in East Palestine, Ohio, to see the site of the Norfolk Southern derailment, hear updates from investigators, and meet first responders. USDOT will continue its work to ensure safety and accountability. pic.twitter.com/okA6WI7uzI

— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) February 23, 2023

When reporters attempted to confront Buttigieg with questions about his timing, TPUSA reporter Savannah Hernandez was asked to stop recording as Buttigieg’s press team refused to answer questions.

“I asked Sec. Buttigieg why it took him almost 3 weeks to come and speak to residents of East Palestine,” she wrote in a tweet alongside a video of the interaction. “His press Secretary then told me I was aggressive for trying to ask questions on camera.”

Buttigieg is expected to meet with residents, however, it is questionable whether he will actually assist tangibly in aiding them. His visit comes a day after 45th President Donald Trump visited the town with a warm welcome from residents as he brought a massive donation of water and other supplies with him.

I asked Sec. Buttigieg why it took him almost 3 weeks to come and speak to residents of East Palestine.

His press Secretary then told me I was aggressive for trying to ask questions on camera: pic.twitter.com/bOB52DIq0O

— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) February 23, 2023

TRUMP FORCES BUTTIGIEG TO VISIT EAST PALESTINE, MAYOR PETE ANNOUNCES WHEN HE’LL GO: TOO LITTLE TOO LATE?

“Happy to discuss timing of our Ohio visit – but starting to think some in Washington want that to be the main focus so that there aren’t too many questions about rail safety regulation, who is for and who is against,” wrote Buttigieg on Twitter. “We will hold the line on railroad safety and accountability.”

Happy to discuss timing of our Ohio visit – but starting to think some in Washington want that to be the main focus so that there aren’t too many questions about rail safety regulation, who is for and who is against.

We will hold the line on railroad safety and accountability.

— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) February 23, 2023

Buttigieg’s move to come into the town just before 8 a.m. CST has been mocked by some online with many claiming that he did so to avoid residents.

“Sneaky Pete slipping in at the break of dawn to avoid the masses?” wrote one user.

Sneaky Pete slipping in at the break of dawn to avoid the masses? https://t.co/yX3Bh6WUt5

— Hillbilly Progeny (@TomT_FL) February 23, 2023

“Ahhhh ‘Sneaky Pete’ The Train Wreck shows up in costume at the crack of dawn to avoid the justifiably angry citizens so he could get a photo op to prove he was present and ‘appearing’ to be doing his job weeks after the fact! Such a cowardly move…” wrote another Twitter user.

Ahhhh “Sneaky Pete” The Train Wreck shows up in costume at the crack of dawn to avoid the justifiably angry citizens so he could get a photo op to prove he was present and “appearing” to be doing his job weeks after the fact! Such a cowardly move… ✌🏼 https://t.co/q5eSbQbLns

— Becky Horton✝️🇺🇸❤️🌟 (@LadyOUQT) February 23, 2023

With Buttigieg’s visit to East Palestine now in the limelight, Americans will see a true contrast between his trip and that of President Trump. Buttigieg is responsible for this catastrophe and his decision to wait over three weeks to visit, with him telling a reporter earlier this week that he was taking “some personal time” as previously reported by the DC Enquirer, shows America just how incompetent and unserious he truly is.

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