Regardless of even some Democrats criticizing Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s response to the East Palestine, Ohio prepare derailment, the Washington Publish selected to disregard that and focus in on Republicans who’re “seizing” (previously “pouncing”) on the accident to assault poor Buttigieg. Reporters Yasmeen Abutaleb,  Ian Duncan, and Justine McDaniel acted extra as a Buttiegieg protection group than as journalists on Wednesday in “Republicans seize on prepare derailment to go after Buttigieg.”

The “seize” encore comes proper after the title in describing the angle of the nasty you-know-whos:

Republicans are seizing on the path derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, to ramp up their assaults in opposition to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, saying he’s selling his personal agenda on the expense of households who’re grappling with a poisonous chemical accident of their yard.

And extra Washington Publish finger pointing on the nasty nasties:

The secretary, who sought the presidency in 2020, has taken the weird step of responding on to a few of his critics, together with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), former president Donald Trump and Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

The result’s an unusually private and, occasionally, vitriolic back-and-forth involving a transportation secretary who can also be a rising star in his get together, potential candidate for increased workplace and outstanding homosexual official — removed from the same old technocratic and logistical debates that encompass the Transportation Division.

…Buttigieg has confronted GOP criticism earlier than, notably throughout provide chain disruptions early in Biden’s presidency and the failure of a federal aviation security system in January. However folks near the transportation secretary say the assaults on him for the reason that derailment have risen to a brand new degree, noting that the Environmental Safety Company, which is in control of the response to the derailment, has taken far much less warmth.

So the Washington Publish reporters inadvertently admit previous failures throughout Buttigieg’s tenure however, golly gee, why do the Republicans must be so nasty in the direction of him this time?

The remainder of the article is a protracted record of pity get together whining in regards to the supposed unfairness of the criticism of Buttigieg on the a part of the imply, unfair Republicans.  Right here is however one instance:

Others have taken it additional, taking the chance to wrap Buttigieg’s sexual orientation into their criticism, resulting in allegations that the post-derailment criticism stems partially from homophobia.

Donald Trump Jr., the previous president’s son, mentioned late final month that Buttigieg obtained his job solely as a result of Democrats needed to present a job to “the homosexual man.” 

Lengthy earlier than the derailment, some Republicans mocked Buttigieg’s determination to take paternity depart after his twins have been born and to carry his husband, Chasten, with him on a navy jet.

The reporters on the Buttigieg protection group conveniently prevented mentioning that lengthy earlier than each the derailment and his time period as Transportation Secretary, Mayor Pete even didn’t carry out the fundamental job of mayors, particularly to fill in potholes on town streets of South Bend.

Throughout some future presidential major, you may wager that Buttigieg’s Democrat opponents can be “seizing” on the alternative to slam him for his many failures as Transportation Secretary.