Recent rail issues and the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, have given some people a convenient stick with which to beat Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg.
One of his leading critics is Marco Rubio. The Florida Senator has been slamming Buttigieg in interviews and on social media for several days. Yesterday, Buttigieg found some “Dark Brandon” energy and fired back.
Related: Buttigieg roasts Rubio for calling same-sex marriage bill a “waste of time”
Yesterday, Rubio said Buttigieg, “is an incompetent who is focused solely on his fantasies about his political future & needs to be fired.”
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He also accused Buttigieg of misrepresenting his views on how best to improve the rail system.
Buttigieg shot back, “The facts don’t lie. The 2021 letter you signed was obviously drafted by railroad industry lobbyists. It supports waivers that would reduce visual track inspections. Now: will you vote to help us toughen rail safety accountability and fines, or not?”
The facts don’t lie. The 2021 letter you signed was obviously drafted by railroad industry lobbyists.
It supports waivers that would reduce visual track inspections.
Now: will you vote to help us toughen rail safety accountability and fines, or not? https://t.co/o5MGvbEZbA
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) February 21, 2023
Buttigieg went on to offer examples of “what Congress can do to help (along with immediate steps we’ve been taking and what we demand rail companies do). If you’re serious, I’ll work with you on this.”
Rick Scott
Rubio was not the only Florida GOP figure to feel the sharp edge of Buttigieg’s tongue.
Senator Rick Scott yesterday challenged Buttigieg to visit the derailment site in Ohio.
Scott tweeted a CNN story that quoted Buttigieg saying he would visit “when the time is right.”
Scott said, “Hey, @SecretaryPete: the right time for folks in East Palestine is now. When leaders show up, things get done—enough with the excuses. Show up, do your job and stop playing politics with every crisis you find.”
Buttigieg responded, again challenging the far-right GOP lawmaker to help instead of complain.
“During the initial response phase, I’ve followed the norm of staying out of the way of the independent NTSB,” Buttigieg responded. “Now that we’re into the policy phase, I’ll be visiting – and I need your help. Will you work with us to toughen accountability standards on freight railroads?”
During the initial response phase, I’ve followed the norm of staying out of the way of the independent NTSB.
Now that we’re into the policy phase, I’ll be visiting – and I need your help.
Will you work with us to toughen accountability standards on freight railroads? https://t.co/lvu6vTUJ8S— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) February 21, 2023
Again, as with Rubio, he posted a link to the Department of Transportation’s recent call for policy changes. He again challenged Scott: “If you’re serious, I’ll work with you on this.”
On Tuesday, Buttigieg conceded to CBS News that he “could have spoken out sooner” on the East Palestine derailment.
“I was focused on just making sure that our folks on the ground were all set but could have spoken sooner about how strongly I felt about this incident and that’s a lesson learned for me,” Buttigieg said.
The Norfolk Southern train derailment
The Norfolk Southern train derailed on February 3. It prompted the release of toxic materials into the environment. Yesterday, the head of the government’s environmental agency said Norfolk Southern Corp must “pay for cleaning up the mess.”
Buttigieg says the White House is pushing for greater regulation of train operators and enhanced safety procedures. He notes that many of the recommendations have bipartisan support.
“We are accelerating and augmenting our ongoing lines of effort on rail regulation and inspection here at the US DOT, including further regulation on high hazard flammable trains and electronically controlled pneumatic brakes – rules that were clawed back under the previous administration – to the full extent of that we are allowed to under current law, and we will continue using resources from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund projects that improve rail safety,” Buttigieg said.
Online, many applauded Buttigieg’s response to Rubio.
I love when Marco gets called out on his bullshit
— Aléx Young (@AlexYoung) February 21, 2023
I see Marco Rubio’s signature on this letter for waivers in lieu of labor-intensive inspections. pic.twitter.com/LurVwPMUuG
— Laurie🪶 (@Laurieluvsmolly) February 21, 2023
That’s better mr. Secretary! Welcome to the game!
— Jason Bennett (@JBActors) February 21, 2023
The Secretary has asked you a question, Marco. pic.twitter.com/CQPCkFCY6y
— 🐝 ƊЄƝƛЄ 🪴 (@DenaePFA) February 21, 2023
Rubio posted a response to Buttigieg late yesterday. He did not acknowledge Buttigieg’s suggestion they work together, and instead repeated his demand that he resign.
“Before you emerged from hiding 10 days after the worst rail accident in over a decade the last time we heard you talking about rail was when you were lobbying for the rail company ‘deal’ that screwed workers out of paid leave while I was fighting for workers. Please resign now.”
Ronbo
Pete, like tRump, seems better at twitter than doing the job he was awarded. Did Buttigieg wait ten days, like he did with the Ohio rail disaster, to go onto his twitter? Do you job first, play with your social media accounts later.
Pete might have just killed his chances at a Presidential run. Too bad; Pete appeared to be a better option than most.
Vince
Are you shitting me? Calling attention to Repug hypocrisy is exactly what I’d expect and demand out of him. A Democrat with a spine is something I’d like to see more of.
The fact that they’re targeting him means that they expect a serious contender down the road.
LumpyPillows
Ronbo, you can’t really be serious. Did you red the article and Pete’s responses?
Mr-DJ
Doesn’t appear that you actually read the article, Ronbo.
Tombear
Ronbo reading an article first before commenting on it is something liberals learn early in life.
Ronbo
Swallowing spin isn’t our specialty. TEN DAYS! Think critically, he has botched his political dream.
Twitter is NOT a news source, it’s a spin machine for twits. Ask yourself… is a win on spin more important helping those people?
Jim
I agree Marco has his fantasies about his political future & needs to be fired.”
LumpyPillows
Trump destroyed little Marco. It is one of the rare things the buffoon did that I do not mind. I’m just very upset we couldn’t defeat him in his last election after he was mortally wounded.
thebaddestbabby
Pete has the power to regulate the rail industry much more aggressively, but he does not use it. He’s not the only politician who is way too cozy with the industry he’s supposed to be regulating. But strongly worded letters and calls for CONGRESS to do something are not good enough. HE needs to do something. I agree with Ronbo: if Pete doesn’t stand up to companies that are literally poisoning the earth, he will lose key supporters in the democratic base. Which is indeed unfortunate, because Pete is a competent person and good communicator.
Also, Vince, just because Republicans are criticizing Pete here does not mean that he is perfect. Stop approaching every issue from a rigidly partisan perspective (Reps bad, Dems good). It’s not Pete’s job to “call attention to Repug hypocrisy.” He’s not a talking head on CNN. He is powerful cabinet member with real political power!!
I have lost multiple family members to cancer. Some of these cancers were caused by industry dumping toxic chemicals into the environment. This practice needs to be legislated out of existence. Pete can’t do it by himself, but HE COULD BE DOING MUCH MUCH MORE!
LumpyPillows
Pete does not have such magical authority. Study up on how government works. Pete and the Department of Transportation can only do what congressional statues allow them to do. Their authorities are limited. They can’t just make up new policies on whim.
thebaddestbabby
False. The Secretary of Transportation, as a member of the executive branch, has rule-making authority. In 2015 (aka the Obama years), Department of Transportation issued a rule requiring some trains carrying hazardous material to update their breaking systems to have electronically-controlled pneumatic (ECP) breaks. The Trump administration repealed this rule in 2019. Buttigieg could re-instate it, expand the category of trains that need these better breaks, and do many other things. But of course, Democrats love to call on Congress to do things once they have lost full control of the Congress.
Could you elaborate on why you say that the executive branch (i.e., DOT) needs to be authorized by congress to do anything?
henare
Actually, no. Pete’s job is to implement law as passed by Congress and authorized by POTUS. He doesn’t get to make up the laws as he goes.
Was third grade civics class *that* far off for you?
LumpyPillows
Yes, they can make rules if they fall within their congressionally prescribed authorities. The do not have carte blanche authority to do whatever they want. They also have to jump through a lot of hoops to allow for industry and public comment on any rule they are thinking about issuing. They can’t just wave a magic want, by design, for good or bad.
DarkZephyr
I am so tired of your non-stop negativity and hateful attitude about *everything*.
Republicans aren’t “criticizing” Pete. They are calling for him to resign. Those are two extremely different things.
dbmcvey
Don’t go after Pete unless you really have the facts.
thebaddestbabby
look at the actual facts of this scenario and the regulatory power of the executive branch. The executive branch has to conduct a cost-benefit analysis before it can reinstate the rule requiring trains carrying toxic materials to update their breaks. What is stopping Pete from doing this? Not Congress!
FreddieW
I would vote for Pete again, even though my early vote in the primaries was wasted when he dropped out before Super Tuesday. But I suspect the Democrats are going to do the stupid thing again and run a candidate who should have retired years and years ago and who wasn’t ever that great, anyway.
dgsea06
Like who?
LumpyPillows
I sent Pete money when he ran the last time. I would again. It was over before my primary happened, so I did not get to vote for him.
Biden, however, was not a mistake. He was the candidate to beat Trump, which he did. I know we’re all concerned about Biden’s age for 2024. I hope we choose wisely. Losing again to Trump or some other Trump-like troll is something I cannot wrap my head around.
Gavin Newsome deserves a look. I still really like Al Franken and rue the day the wokesters drove him from office.
abfab
Imagine if AOC ran? Stand back, bitches.
LumpyPillows
AOC would be this century’s McGovern. Couldn’t even get the nomination.
Fahd
May my dream that the 2024 Democratic ticket is Biden-Buttigieg please come true. Joe and Pete in 24!
LumpyPillows
I could get behind that.
abfab
Pete could put his behind in my lap.
FreddieW
I will never vote for a political candidate in his (or her) 80’s. Not even with Pete on the ticket. I can just vote 3rd party again.
andyr930
Rubio should be the one to go. He’s been in DC too long.
LumpyPillows
Little Marco’s first day in DC was one day too long. Actually, that’s just trite. He had the opportunity to be a good senator. He is not stupid, like some of them. The choices he made makes him worthless to the nation. He’s done nothing and will do nothing good for the country. He made himself a mockery. He can only blame himself.
winemaker
i’m gay and can’t believe how the gay community like sheep going to the slaughter keeps voting for the liberals who do little to nothing or just enough to satsfy or placate them. This is pretty much the case with the other marginilized groups, the Latinos, Jews, blacks and asiansas well. If you don’t believe this take a good look and smell at California the one time golden state now only golden in the piss and poop littering and stinking up the streets of San Francsico that some places are now biohazards.. They look at us as suckers to pander to for votes and when election time comes around, the pamplhets jam our mailboxes wiith their so called accomplishments yada, yada, blah, blah and after the elections we are given the silent treatment or the finger behind our backs. San Francisco, the gay mecca recently got the unfortunate moniker the ‘new doo doo capital of the USA’ and sadly it fits. When oh when is the gay community going to start thinking for themselves and their livlihoods realize the liberals do nothing for them but play them for fools and pander to them for votes? Who in their right mind is ok with what’s going on in DC with higher and higher food prices and food shortages along with gasoline and fuel prices, the worst inflation in over 80 years and the incompetence and ineptitude that sadly goes on and on.?
Fname Optional Lname
because Republican’s will do so much more for us?
abfab
You’re gay? Ew, how disgusting!
PubicHairus
@winemaker: GO TO BED, GRANDPA! DON’T FORGET TO TAKE YOUR ZYPREXA!
Robert Bradley
SOOOOOooooooo many nasty rupugnatlican trolls of late. Go crawl back under your rocks. JHC! At least Pete didn’t show up and throw out paper towels, you dip shits!
Ronbo
Pete went onto twitter instead of helping those unfortunate souls. Spinning twitter is not governing.
thebaddestbabby
we are not republicans, we are actual people who don’t want to live in a world where toxics chemicals get spilled everywhere because regulators — whose authority it is to regulate — don’t do their job of REGULATING!!! how is that so hard for you to understand?
abfab
Marco and Georgette would make such UGLY children together! I think these two were separated at birth and both went to the school of how to smile disingenuously.
abfab
scuze…Georgette Kitara Ra VAAAAAAAAAAAA che.
Doug
Sometimes I really wish Pete would just tell some of these jerks to fug off.
abfab
It’s basically what he does with each and every one of these cretins. But he does it with such finesse….how in the world DOES he DO it! (I should learn from him).
I really wanted him to win it, too. He’d be great. I love him!
PubicHairus
I think his measured, non-emotional responses to their hysterics is a shrewd way of saying “F-U!”
thebaddestbabby
this isn’t drag race, it’s the presidency you’re talking about! is all you want a sassy president who can clap back? Or do you want to live in a better country where corporate profits aren’t the only thing that matter?
PubicHairus
@thebaddestbabby Pete Buttigieg isn’t the president. He’s the current Secretary of Transportation. And for what it’s worth, he isn’t an avid viewer of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Mr-DJ
Poor Little Marco got spanked again. I’m starting to think he likes it. All of his screaming about what he perceives others are doing wrong is a deflection away from his own ineptness. It’s the “Trumpian Way”!
dbmcvey
Pete always comes prepared.
Ronbo
Unless you consider “prepared” is about doing his job. Waiting 10 days to take charge is NOT leadership.
No one is saying a Republican would have done a better job. But we are allowed to ask Democrats to do MORE to help citizens. Right?
LumpyPillows
There was nothing the DoT could do. You confuse their mission completely.
Ronbo
Trump (and Elaine Chow) in the Executive Branch, not Congress, rolled the safety regulations back. They were not re-instated under Biden and Buttigieg. That is the reality in which we actually live. The spin only makes everyone dizzy. Good Democrats can criticize bad moves in their own party – it’s how we keep OUR neoliberals from turning us into Republican-lite.
Please re-read the Constitution to better understand how the Executive branch is charged with regulations – including safety regulations in the transportation industry.
LumpyPillows
You got the blame right – Trump, Chow and the republican de-regulation cult.
CNY1983
please leave little marco alone! hes busy protecting florida from drag shows the scourage of this decade. Oh and banning books, I mean, thanks to little marco we will only need 1 BOOK in the library:
the bible.