The White House is defending itself from criticism it has been caught flat-footed regarding its response to the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, contending it is satisfied with its handling of the toxic chemical spill.

President Joe Biden "is staying updated on what is occurring on the ground but [is] also appreciative of the work that his multiagencies have been doing," press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Thursday.

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Jean-Pierre added she did not "have anything to read out or announce" concerning Biden traveling to Ohio, noting Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg surveyed the toxic site Thursday. She also did not have a call "to read out or a planned conversation" between Biden and East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway, who earlier this week described the president's trip to Ukraine as opposed to visiting his town as "a slap in the face."

The press secretary similarly defended Buttigieg's reaction to the derailment, calling some of the criticism directed toward him "bad-faith attacks." She argued "no one" urged then-Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to resign during earlier chemical spills.

"It is pure politics," she said.

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A 150-odd carriage Norfolk Southern train derailed three weeks ago, with state and local officials conducting a controlled burn of the chemicals aboard. Their actions did not prevent toxins affecting the air, water, and soil near the crash.