In fact, one reporter asked Karine Jean-Pierre a poignant question during Wednesday's White House press briefing.
Real Clear News' Philip Wegman asked KJP if Biden plans to drink water in East Palestine, Ohio, when he finally visits there in February. The question left KJP stuttering for a moment before she launched into a typical word response.
People in eastern Palestine went viral with videos of what appeared to be chemicals in the water after the disaster, despite officials declaring the water safe.
Real Clear Politics provides text:
Phil Wegman, Real Politics: Has the Department of Justice coordinated or discussed with the Department of Justice any type of damages settlement or compensation for people who were affected by the derailment?
Karine Jean-Pierre: I don't have any details here, and I would refer you to the Department of Justice on this piece. Obviously we want to make sure that Norfolk [Southern] Accounting is done, and we're going to make sure that happens. We are determined to achieve this. I think you've heard it from the Department of Transportation and Secretary Buttigieg, and you've heard it from us many times, we want to make sure that they pay for the derailment that they caused. This is clearly a priority.
Wegman: And next month, when the president is in eastern Palestine, will he drink water there?
JEAN-PIERRE: I mean, look, what I can tell you is that the president's focus has been on doing everything he can to support this community from day one. We understand what's happening on the ground, we understand what's happening, and that's why we had the EPA and the Department of Transportation and the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency on the ground, you know, it's not about some kind of political stunt here. It's not about this president being everyone's president and showing up to this community. That's what this is about.
I'm not going to get into any kind of political stunts about drinking water. We will focus on making sure they get what they need. The president has been invited by the mayor and community leaders, and he will come. He always said he would be there when it mattered most.
Here is the video:
.@Philip Wegman“And then, next month, when the president is in eastern Palestine, will he drink water there?”
KJP: “I mean, look, what I can tell you is that the president's focus has been on doing everything he can to support this community from day one. We understand what's going on… pic.twitter.com/CS4Gm1vTAz
– Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) January 31, 2024
Critics have pointed out that the only reason Biden finally went there was because it was an election year.
