Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine strongly condemned former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance for perpetuating baseless rumors about Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio. Despite not withdrawing his support for the Republican presidential ticket, Gov. DeWine expressed deep disappointment in their actions through a detailed op-ed published in the New York Times. He emphasized how such unfounded claims not only lack evidence but also unjustly tarnish the reputation of legal migrants residing in Springfield.

The misinformation began circulating on social media platforms, with Vance and other GOP leaders amplifying the false allegations that Haitian migrants in Springfield were engaged in activities like stealing pets and park geese for consumption. Trump further propagated these rumors during a recent presidential debate, resulting in a frenzy of attention on Springfield. This unfounded fear and hostility directed toward Haitian migrants led to a series of bomb threats in the town, forcing the closure of local schools, colleges, and government buildings.

DeWine has been actively addressing the situation in Springfield, holding frequent press briefings and deploying state troopers to ensure the safety of the community amidst the wave of hoax threats. He clarified that all threats were determined to be false alarms and originated from outside of the country. Despite ongoing efforts by DeWine and local officials to debunk the falsehoods, Trump, Vance, and other Republicans continue to propagate the baseless claims without any substantive evidence to support their allegations.