Donald Trump vows mass deportations if elected president, targeting Springfield, Ohio, amidst unfounded claims that Haitian migrants are harming pets. Local officials have debunked these allegations, but tensions have escalated, resulting in bomb threats and school evacuations. President Biden condemns Trump's rhetoric, urging for calm and understanding.
During a campaign rally, U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump pledged to initiate mass deportations if elected, with the Ohio town of Springfield as a starting point. Springfield has recently been the subject of unfounded claims that Haitian migrants are killing pets, causing a wave of misinformation-fueled panic. Trump referred to the town as being “ruined” by immigration, further inflaming tensions.
Local officials, including the Springfield police chief and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, have thoroughly debunked these rumors, yet Trump repeated them during a debate with Kamala Harris. The baseless accusations have led to heightened fear in the community, resulting in violent threats that forced three schools to evacuate due to bomb scares. One of the threats contained anti-Haitian language, raising concerns about xenophobia and misinformation.
President Joe Biden has called for an end to the dangerous rhetoric, criticizing Trump’s statements as harmful and untrue. He urged the public to remain calm and to reject the baseless rumors surrounding Springfield’s Haitian population.
Trump’s focus on mass deportations is seen as a return to his hardline immigration policies from his previous administration. However, the false claims in Springfield have brought renewed attention to the dangers of misinformation, with experts warning that such rhetoric could escalate violence and division across communities.
