U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin Request Independent Investigation of the Biden Administration’s Response to Train Derailment in East Palestine
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin sent a joint letter to the EPA Office of Inspector General (OIG), requesting a comprehensive, independent investigation into the Biden-Harris Administration's response to the February 3, 2023, Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Since the first day of the Trump Administration, Vice President Vance and Administrator Zeldin have used every available tool to support the community of East Palestine and to ensure the decisions made by the Biden-Harris Administration did not further risk the health of people who live there and in surrounding communities.
However, community members still have serious concerns about the health and safety of their families and neighborhoods, and troubling media reports have called into question the decision-making behind the Biden-Harris Administration’s response to the derailment. In light of these developments, Vice President Vance and Administrator Zeldin see the urgent need for an independent review of the decisions and actions taken by federal, state, and private entities in the aftermath of the disaster. No stone should be left unturned. The people of East Palestine, who had their lives upended and their community shattered, deserve answers and accountability.
Should EPA OIG’s independent review identify shortcomings in the Biden-Harris Administration’s response to the train derailment, the Trump EPA will consider all the appropriate corrective actions available.
“The people of East Palestine deserve certainty about their health and the safety of their community. They did not get it from the Biden EPA,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin. “The Trump EPA is committed to correcting the mistakes of the past administration. We have done everything in our power since day one to protect human health and the environment in East Palestine, and that work will continue, guided by our commitment to gold-standard science.”
Vice President Vance and Administrator Zeldin’s first official visit together was to East Palestine to speak with community members and see firsthand the devastation the incident has caused. And EPA recently took action against a government contractor for failing to meet data quality standards in groundwater sampling conducted at the East Palestine train derailment site in the fall of 2025.
For over three years, the people of East Palestine and surrounding communities have lived with the fateful decisions of the Biden Administration, State of Ohio, and Norfolk Southern. The response to the derailment, subsequent controlled release and combustion of hazardous materials, environmental contamination, and prolonged concerns regarding air, soil, water, and public health warrant continued scrutiny and oversight to ensure appropriate accountability and inform future actions.