Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) on Tuesday suggested impeaching Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for his dereliction of duty concerning the catastrophic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Speaking on Fox News, Collins laid out the laundry list of critical issues facing the nation’s transportation infrastructure. The country is plagued with mass flight cancellations and almost daily train derailments, all under Buttigieg’s watch.
The freshman representative declared that the solution is to “get rid of Pete Buttigieg” and replace him with an official who “knows what they’re doing.”
The Department of Transportation has been roundly criticized for its lackadaisical response to the Feb. 3 derailment of the Norfolk Southern train. The accident just outside of East Palestine released massive volumes of dangerous chemicals and sickened scores of residents.
An evacuation was forced, but those living nearby were soon told that the air and water were safe and to return to their homes.
I asked Sec. Buttigieg why it took him almost 3 weeks to come and speak to residents of East Palestine.
His press Secretary then told me I was aggressive for trying to ask questions on camera: pic.twitter.com/bOB52DIq0O
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) February 23, 2023
Collins insisted the Transportation Department should have “shown up immediately.” He asserted that when there’s a major problem, you go to the scene to determine exactly what is going on and assess it for a solution.
The representative took dead aim at the “woke culture” that Buttigieg is using his office to promote. Collins called it a clear example of the department setting their focus “on stuff other than trying to improve the infrastructure of this country.”
The Georgia representative recounted that Norfolk Southern’s CEO recently told shareholders that the company is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and “cultivating a safe, inclusive culture.”
Collins said the company is more concerned about “appeasing an administration and gender pronouns than they are putting grease on wheel bearings.”
The nation’s transportation crisis, Collins said, involves more than a train derailment or “planes almost landing on top of each other.” He explained that it’s misplaced priorities that are streaming from the top.
Buttigieg resisted visiting the site for roughly three weeks after the derailment. His arrival came exactly one day after former President Donald Trump showed up with encouragement and much-needed supplies.
Even Democrats have noted the paltry federal response to the crisis and Buttigieg’s lack of proper attention. The secretary is already being investigated by the Department of Transportation’s Inspector General for his use of federal aircraft at the request of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).
