A nonprofit organization representing the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio, has taken legal action against former President Donald Trump and U.S. Senator JD Vance for the turmoil and threats that have plagued the city. The Haitian Bridge Alliance filed criminal charges against Trump and Vance, accusing them of disrupting public services, making false alarms, telecommunications harassment, aggravated menacing, and complicity. These charges stem from Trump spreading false claims about legal immigrants in Springfield during a presidential debate, resulting in bomb threats, closures of government buildings and schools, and threats to local officials.

The Haitian Bridge Alliance, invoking its private-citizen right to pursue legal action, decided to file charges after facing inaction from the local prosecutor. The alliance's attorney, Subodh Chandra of the Chandra Law Firm, highlighted the persistence and intent behind Trump and Vance's actions, emphasizing their disregard for criminal law. The filing seeks affirmation of probable cause from the Clark County Municipal Court and requests either further investigation or the issuance of arrest warrants against Trump and Vance.

The chaos incited by Trump and Vance's false claims led to over 30 bomb threats targeting state and local government buildings and schools in Springfield. As public vitriol escalated, Haitian residents expressed fears for their safety, and Mayor Rob Rue received death threats. Attorney Chandra emphasized that Trump and Vance's actions had caused significant disruption and harm to the community, emphasizing that if it were anyone else, they would have likely been arrested by now. Chandra underscored the significance of treating Trump and Vance equally under the law, despite Trump's claim of broad immunity from criminal prosecution as an ex-president.