His avoidance of the topic didn't go unnoticed as critics took to social media and blasted him for taking the time to knock White construction workers instead of discussing the dire situation.
"I continue to be concerned about the impacts of the Feb 3 train derailment near East Palestine, OH, and the effects on families in the ten days since their lives were upended through no fault of their own. It’s important that families have access to useful & accurate information," Buttigieg tweeted following the criticism.
Then-Democratic presidential candidate and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks during a campaign event in North Charleston, S.C. on February 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
"USDOT has been supporting the investigation led by The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Our Federal Rail Administration and Pipelines and Hazardous Materials teams were onsite within hours of the initial incident and continue to be actively engaged," he wrote.
Buttigieg added that his office would review the results of the ongoing investigation and "ensure accountability and continue to support safety."
"In the meantime, our Federal partners at EPA are onsite and monitoring indoor and outdoor air quality to test for VOCs and other chemicals of concern," he wrote.
"EPA has screened 291 homes and no detections were identified – and 181 homes remain. To request screening, call 330-849-3919. For more information, visit: https://response.epa.gov/site/site_profile.aspx?site_id=15933," he added.
This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio are still on fire midday Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Fox News Digital reached out to Buttigieg's office for comment about why he avoided bringing up the topic at the conference, but was only directed to his Twitter statement, as well as a tweet from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) addressing the environmental and safety concerns over the derailment.