Sen. Rubio asks for Buttigieg's resignation over Ohio train derailment 

Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) asked President Joe Biden to request the resignation of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg after a train derailment in Ohio spilled toxic chemicals. 

“For two years, Secretary Buttigieg downplayed and ignored crisis after crisis, while prioritizing topics of little relevance to our nation’s transportation system. It is painfully clear to the American people that Secretary Buttigieg has little regard for the duties of the Secretary of Transportation,” Rubio wrote in a letter addressed to the president, urging for Buttigieg’s resignation. 

“At no time has that been more apparent than the past two weeks. Secretary Buttigieg refused to acknowledge the disaster in East Palestine, Ohio until his intentional ignorance was no longer tenable. Even after acknowledging the tragedy, he continues to deflect any accountability for the safety of our nation’s rail system,” he continued. 

On February 3, a 150-car train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, causing a fire and damaging several cars that were carrying hazardous chemicals, including vinyl chloride. Authorities ordered nearby residents to evacuate, fearing a possible explosion. 

While the evacuation orders have been lifted, the chemical and other toxic substances have spread into nearby air and water, raising environmental and health concerns. 

“The circumstances leading up to the derailment point to a clear lack of oversight and demand engagement by our nation’s top transportation official,” Rubio said in the letter. 

“The incompetence and failure within your administration cannot continue to be ignored when Americans’ health and safety are at risk. I hope you will change course in order to uphold your so-far-unmet promise to the American people by requesting the immediate resignation of Secretary Buttigieg,” the senator concludes.