WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden called several officials during his trip to Poland on Tuesday for an update on an Ohio train crash that released toxic chemicals after his administration’s response to the derailment has come under fire from both parties.
Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, called for U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a Democrat, to be fired. Some on the left have also publicly raised concerns. That included David Sirota, a former speechwriter for Sen. Bernie Sanders, who urged people to keep pressuring Buttigieg to deliver on his promises.
The administration defended Buttigieg late last week, with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying the president had “absolute confidence” in him. Buttigieg has pushed back against some critics, including Rubio, in alleging they had sided with the railroad industry’s attempt to block safety measures.
