Donald Trump Jr. believes Russia is behind the recent train derailments in Ohio and Michigan, saying it was Vladimir Putin’s revenge for the destruction of Europe’s Nord Stream gas pipelines in September.
“Are we being attacked? Does anyone think you can have all these major train derailments, all with serious environmental consequences, and it’s just total coincidence? Why haven’t we even seen someone ask if this might be retaliation for our alleged attack on Nord Stream 2?” the ex-president’s eldest son tweeted on Friday.
The derailment of a toxin-laden “bomb train” in eastern Palestine, Ohio on February 3 caused an environmental disaster in the area. While on Thursday, a train carrying hazardous materials derailed Thursday near Detroit but nothing was spilled, officials said. Both were operated by the Norfolk Southern Railroad Company.
Last year, attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines connecting Russia and Germany spewed gas into the Baltic Sea. Sweden and Denmark, where the explosions took place, have concluded that the pipelines were blown up on purpose.
Investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1970, wrote last week, citing an unidentified source, that US Navy divers destroyed the pipelines with explosives on orders from President Joe Biden.
The ex-president’s eldest son believes the US will be attacked over the destruction of the Nord Stream gas pipeline in Europe in September
A photo showing an explosion the day after the February 3 derailment in eastern Palestine, Ohio
The United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization have described the incident as an “act of sabotage.” Moscow blamed the West. Neither side presented any evidence.
After the release of that report, White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson called it “absolutely false and complete fiction.”
On Thursday, Trump Jr. first linked the gaffes to Nord Stream 2 in a tweet, incorrectly calling it Nordstrom.
In another tweet Thursday, Trump Jr. questioned media ethics, asking, “Are media that is stupid and/or bought and paid for that they wouldn’t even question? WTF?’
The executive vice president of the Trump Organization offered no evidence to back up his messages.
Also on Thursday, Russia called on the United Nations Security Council to launch an independent investigation into the pipeline blasts.
Russia submitted a draft resolution to the 15-member council on Friday, seen by Portal, that would urge UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to launch an international probe into the “sabotage” and identify those responsible.
A inflammatory report by Pulitzer Prize-winning US journalist Seymour Hersh (pictured) points the finger squarely at the CIA
Hersh claims the orders can be traced back to US Commander-in-Chief President Joe Biden
Trump Jr. went on to claim that the Biden administration is unconcerned about the Michigan and Ohio gaffes because they hit predominantly white communities.
The city of eastern Palestine is 98 percent white, while the Michigan community of Van Buren, where Thursday’s derailment occurred, is 82 percent white.
“Perhaps if the people of East Palestine, Ohio, pretend they are Middle Eastern Palestinians, the Biden administration will actually pay them some attention and send them aid,” Trump Jr. wrote on Truth Social.
Since the derailment in western Ohio, local residents have complained of headaches and irritated eyes, and have found their cars and lawns covered in soot. The dangerous chemicals spilled from the train killed thousands of fish, and residents spoke of finding dying or sick pets and wildlife.
Residents are frustrated by what they say is incomplete and vague information about the ongoing impact of the disaster, which has prompted evacuations.
On Friday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine confirmed that a FEMA team would be deployed to the area nearly two weeks after the crash to assist in the cleanup effort.
Officials carried out a “controlled explosion” of trains carrying vinyl chloride on February 6
A chart of data released by the Federal Railroad Administration shows six times more Norfolk Southern hazmat cars were damaged in 2022 than in 2012, amid an overall upward trend
More than two weeks later, residents fear for their safety after the massive fire threw huge clouds of toxic smoke across the city
The train in eastern Palestine, Ohio, derailed before authorities conducted a “controlled explosion” to release chemicals that were being carried in several train cars
EPA Administrator Michael Regan said Thursday that anyone afraid to be in their home should get tested by the government.
“People were unnerved. They have been asked to leave their homes,” he said, adding that if he lived there, he would be willing to move his family back to the area as long as tests show it is safe.
At least five lawsuits have been filed against the train’s operator, Norfolk Southern, which announced this week that it is setting up a $1 million fund to help the community while it continues to clean up pollutant spills from the ground and removed from streams and air quality monitored.
“We are here and will remain here for as long as is necessary to ensure your safety and to help East Palestine recover and prosper,” Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan Shaw said in a letter to the community .
Families who were evacuated said they needed help figuring out how to get the promised financial help. They also want to know if Deutsche Bahn will be held accountable.
State and federal officials have vowed to ensure that Norfolk Southern not only pays for the cleanup, but also compensates local residents.
The White House said teams from the federal health and emergency response and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will travel to eastern Palestine.
The tracks were damaged and the wheels of some rail vehicles were separated
A train carrying at least one car carrying hazardous materials derailed outside of Detroit on Thursday
While video captured of Thursday’s derailment in Van Buren Township showed more than half a dozen cars derailed, some of them going sideways across the tracks.
The derailment just before 9 a.m. just west of Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport left the tracks damaged and the wheels of some rail vehicles severed.
Police said no injuries were reported and there was no evidence that hazardous materials were exposed in the derailment.
Authorities urged drivers and local residents to avoid the area during the investigation. Several roads were temporarily closed by the derailment.