RFK Jr.: I'm Representing E. Palestine Victims

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Saturday via X that he is representing the victims of the East Palestine disaster wherein a train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed, sending a toxic mushroom cloud into the atmosphere and toxic chemicals into the ground, poisoning the water supply and killing fish.

"As an attorney, I'm representing East Palestine victims," Kennedy wrote Saturday evening. "As President, I will represent ALL Americans so that this kind of accident never happens again."

The announcement comes on the first anniversary of the disaster, which took place on February 3, 2023.

Kennedy's announcement comes amidst a statement an official from the White House delivered to CNN on Wednesday stating that President Joe Biden would make time for a campaign stop to mark the anniversary.

"In February," the official said, "President Biden will travel to East Palestine, Ohio, to meet with residents impacted by the Norfolk Southern train derailment and assess the progress that his Administration has helped deliver in coordination with state and local leaders to protect the community and hold Norfolk Southern accountable."

While Biden is expected to make his first visit to the township in February — one year later — the White House did not provide an exact date.

Amidst pressure from the press, Biden finally gave a clear answer on his plans to travel to East Palestine on Sept. 2, 2023, stating that he had no time and had other travel priorities that would take him to the far-flung reaches of the globe.

"Well," Biden told to a member of the press at the time, "I haven't had the occasion to go to East Palestine. There's a lot going on, here. And I just haven't been able to break. I was thinking whether I'd go to East Palestine this week but then I was reminded I had to go literally around the world. I'm going from Washington to India to Vietnam ... So, it's going to be a while."

Weeks after the disaster first hit, former President Donald Trump visited the people of East Palestine where he was lauded upon his arrival.