If it wasn’t already evident that Joe Biden didn’t care about putting America first, it certainly became evident in recent weeks.

As I’m sure all of us know, a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio earlier this month, which led first responders to conduct a “controlled burning” just days later to attempt to avoid an inevitable explosion of the train cars. With this, toxic vinyl chloride gas (the chemical carried in the train cars) was released into the air adding to the pollution in the soil and water that was caused by chemical spills after the accident.

East Palestinians as well as residents of surrounding areas within a 1 mile radius were ordered to evacuate prior to the controlled burn and were given the “all-clear” to return home a few days later, although many question if it really is safe.

All the while, President Biden remains relatively silent on the issue, other than a statement released February 17 by his administration, two weeks after the derailment occurred.

One would think that an event that not only is being compared to the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986, but also rattled entire communities to their core would attract more attention from the President of the United States.

Wrong.

Instead of going to East Palestine to visit and offer help to the community, President Biden opted for a different trip. Instead of traveling less than five hours from the White House to East Palestine, he decided to make an unannounced visit to Ukraine (some 4,881 miles from D.C.), marking his first visit to the country since the full-scale Russo-Ukrainian war began a year ago.

The president has not made it clear whether he plans to visit the derailment site or not, although at this point in time, it seems to be unlikely he will.

It’s about due time the President of the United States decides to put the United States first. With our ever-rising national debt, we can’t continue to send funding and military aid to Ukraine. If the federal government insists on sticking their nose in other people's lives, then they need to put more focus on helping American communities facing tragedies such as East Palestine. They at least need to give such tragedies more recognition than a simple one-and-done statement by the press offices of the White House.

I’m not saying that the government should take over offering aid to East Palestine; heaven knows that’s the last thing they need. Ronald Reagan once said that the “nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.’” He couldn’t be more correct with that statement, but a simple visit by the President to shake a few hands and at least show some recognition and compassion would be a nice gesture.

We need a President that’s going to put America first, not last. If Joe Biden won’t do it, we need someone who will.