Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has taken a strong stance against former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance for promoting unfounded rumors about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. In a guest essay published in The New York Times on Friday, Governor DeWine expressed his disappointment with Trump and Vance for perpetuating baseless claims that Haitian immigrants were eating pets in Springfield. DeWine emphasized the negative impact of such rhetoric on both the city and the legal migrants residing there.

The controversy ignited when JD Vance shared unverified allegations on social media, prompting Trump to escalate the situation during a presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris by falsely asserting that Haitian immigrants were consuming pets in Springfield. Despite local officials confirming the lack of evidence supporting these claims, Vance defended bringing Springfield into the national spotlight. Conversely, Governor DeWine defended the Haitian migrants as legal residents who contribute positively to the community through their work ethic.

DeWine's essay marks his strongest condemnation yet of Trump's role in thrusting Springfield into the national spotlight. While DeWine acknowledged the concerns over immigration, he criticized Trump and Vance for their verbal attacks on legally present Haitian migrants, suggesting that such unfounded claims detract from legitimate discussions on border control. The essay also highlighted the importance of Haitian migrants in the workforce, with DeWine noting that businesses in Springfield relied on them to stay operational during the pandemic.

Furthermore, DeWine addressed the strain the influx of migrants has put on Springfield's infrastructure, including challenges in healthcare, housing, and education. To support the community, the governor announced a $2.5 million allocation to enhance primary care access in Springfield and directed the Ohio State Highway Patrol to assist the local police department with traffic enforcement. Additionally, in response to recent bomb threats targeting schools in Springfield, DeWine deployed members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Mobile Field Force to ensure safety and security in educational institutions.