Bomb threat reported in Springfield after Trump’s false immigration claims

 

More threats in Springfield, Ohio: 'We need help, not hate,' mayor says

Bomb threat reported in Springfield after Trump’s false immigration claims

The city government announced on social media, 'City Hall is closed today due to a bomb threat made to several facilities in Springfield.'

Springfield, Ohio, evacuated its city hall on Thursday after a bomb threat, just two days after Donald Trump repeated a false claim about immigrants in the city.

Local officials did not say if the threat was linked to Trump’s comments. The city government stated on social media that City Hall is closed today as a result of a bomb threat directed at multiple facilities in Springfield. Police cars were observed outside City Hall, but no significant disruptions occurred.

 The small city of 62,000 residents has garnered national attention due to unfounded allegations made by Trump and other Republicans, falsely stating that Haitian immigrants in Springfield were consuming pets. Approximately 15,000 Haitian immigrants have relocated to Springfield in the recent years, contributing to the growth of the local economy. While the increase in population has strained schools and social services, wages have risen and crime rates have not seen significant changes.

Haitian American leaders express unease regarding their safety following comments made by President Trump during a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, where he claimed that immigrants in the city were "eating the dogs and cats." The rumor seems to have originated from unverified social media posts with no supporting evidence. Ohio Senator JD Vance echoed the unfounded claim on CNBC, stating that Haitian immigrants were negatively impacting the community of Springfield. Nevertheless, a study conducted in 2021 by the Cato Institute concluded that Haitian immigrants have a higher likelihood of being employed and making positive contributions to the local economy.