A reporter posted a video of an exchange she had with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg over a train that derailed in Ohio.
Jennie Taer, a reporter for The Daily Caller News Foundation, posted the video on Twitter with the caption, “I asked Secretary Buttigieg about the crisis in East Palestine and I guess he didn’t like that so he took a pic of me. Im just doing my job, sir.”
She asked Buttigieg, “What do you have to say to the folks in Ohio, East Palestine, who are suffering right now?”
He replied, “Well, I’d refer you to about a dozen interviews I’ve given today, and if you’d like to reach conversation, be sure to reach out to the press office.”
Buttigieg told Taer he would not be having the conversation with her while walking in the street.
He again referred Taer to comments he made during previous interviews.
Buttigieg shared that he was in the midst of taking some personal time.
When asked if he would be going to Ohio, Buttigieg replied, “Yeah, I am.”
He then asked Taer, “Can I get a photo?”
Watch the video below:
I asked Secretary Buttigieg about the crisis in East Palestine and I guess he didn’t like that so he took a pic of me. Im just doing my job, sir. @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/HjKNgF25FJ
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) February 22, 2023
Twitter users reacted to the video, with Fox News’ Harris Faulkner asking, “Why did the Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg need a picture of a member of our FREE press? Is he trying to be funny… or is something else at play here? Targeting? Journalists are allowed to speak with public officials who are in public.”
Why did the Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg need a picture of a member of our FREE press? Is he trying to be funny… or is something else at play here? Targeting? Journalists are allowed to speak with public officials who are in public. #politereporter https://t.co/3fjYlEFkk3
— HARRISFAULKNER (@HARRISFAULKNER) February 22, 2023
OANN host Addison Smith tweeted, “Infuriating but unsurprising: A government official actively intimidating a journalist to her face.”
Infuriating but unsurprising: A government official actively intimidating a journalist to her face.
— Addison Smith (@AddisonSmithOAN) February 22, 2023
Shame on you, @PeteButtigieg https://t.co/LVQXbQ9Buw
Author Steve Krakauer wrote, “This is totally weird, and shows the current administration’s disdain for journalists. Imagine if Elaine Chao did this during the Trump administration… Let’s see if the corporate press colleagues speak out on behalf of a reporter doing her job.”
This is totally weird, and shows the current administration's disdain for journalists. Imagine if Elaine Chao did this during the Trump administration…
— Steve Krakauer (@SteveKrak) February 22, 2023
Let's see if the corporate press colleagues speak out on behalf of a reporter doing her job. https://t.co/7aeFu7p4My
President Joe Biden has also received criticism for his response to the derailment that led to a chemical spill.
On Tuesday, the president spoke with officials of Ohio and Pennsylvania to express his support.
Biden spoke with them after delivering remarks in Warsaw, Poland.
“I reaffirmed my commitment to making sure they have everything they need,” Biden said in a post on Instagram.
He explained, “Today, the Environmental Protection Agency ordered the train company, Norfolk Southern, to pay for the clean-up and disposal of hazardous materials. This is common sense. This is their mess. They should clean it up.”
According to Biden, “The Department of Transportation has made clear to rail companies that their pattern of resisting safety regulations has got to change.”
Additionally, Biden argued the Department of Transportation is “limited in the rail safety measures they can implement. Why? For years, elected officials – including the last admin – have limited our ability to implement and strengthen rail safety measures.”
Concluding the post, Biden said, “I want affected residents to know that we’ve got your back. And as I said to your govs, they’ll have every resource that they need.”
