As President Biden plays hail the conquering hero in Europe, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is playing hail the conquering zero.
But that’s what you get when you ignore an ecological crisis for three weeks.
When Mayor Pete arrived, the press was waiting, and he didn’t like it. The Transportation Secretary didn’t think it was appropriate to answer questions on camera.
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
Once Buttigieg was escorted away his press secretary said she’d only talk with reporters off camera.
Pete Buttigieg is escorted away from media while his press secretary makes herself known & says she’ll answer questions for him – but only if she isn’t recorded on camera…@TPUSA | @DrewHLive pic.twitter.com/sM12BEfJMi
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) February 23, 2023
Later Mayor Pete held an official press conference. When asked if it was a mistake not to come to Ohio sooner, Buttigieg said no.
“What I tried to do was balance two things: my desire to be involved and engaged and on the ground, which is how I’m generally wired to act, and my desire to follow the norm,” Pete said.
Reporter: “Was it a mistake not to come here sooner?”
Buttigieg: “What I tried to do was balance two things: my desire to be involved and engaged and on the ground, which is how I’m generally wired to act, and my desire to follow the norm.” pic.twitter.com/Kjw6QH1IJ5
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) February 23, 2023
Another reporter followed up by asking why it took him a week and a half to even comment on it.
Reporter: “You sent your first tweet expressing concern for the residents of East Palestine a week and a half after the accident happened. Was that waiting too long?”
Buttigieg: “The answer to your question is yes. I felt strongly about this and could have expressed that sooner” pic.twitter.com/8lc0hIctNg
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) February 23, 2023
It wouldn’t be surprising if Pete lands a job in the private sector at a Democrat think-tank to “spend more time with family” this summer.
