Baltimore bridge tragedy spurs empathy from Biden, blame from GOP

President Joe Biden spoke briefly on Tuesday about the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, referring to it as “a terrible accident” and promising federal support. A container ship rammed into the bridge in the early hours of the morning, collapsing it and sending vehicles and debris into the river below. An ongoing rescue effort continues as of the publishing of this story.

“I told them we’re going to send all the federal resources they need as we respond to this emergency—I mean, all the federal resources,” he said. “And we're going to rebuild that port together.” 

“Our prayers are with everyone involved in this terrible accident, all the families, especially those waiting for the news of their loved one right now,” he said. “I know every minute in that circumstance feels like a lifetime.”

The president dismissed any determination of blame at this early stage, and he explained that the bridge and the port it served were too important to delay fixing.