In response to the rumors of a visit by the Republican presidential nominee to Springfield, Ohio, Mayor Rob Rue expressed concerns about the strain it would put on the city's resources. The city has been at the center of baseless claims made by former President Donald Trump and his running mate about Haitian immigrants allegedly eating residents' pets.

During a news conference at City Hall on Tuesday, Mayor Rue stated that a visit from the presidential nominee would be "an extreme strain on our resources" and added that he would be fine with the candidate deciding not to make the visit. These remarks come after NBC News reported that Trump was planning to visit the city "soon."

The claims made by Trump during a presidential debate, which amplified the baseless rumor about Haitian immigrants harming pets, have been repeatedly debunked by officials in Springfield. The city's police issued a statement emphasizing that there were "no credible reports" of any pets being harmed by Haitian immigrants.

Even Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican himself, denounced these claims as "garbage" and expressed support for the city's handling of the situation. Governor DeWine visited Springfield on Tuesday, as the city deals with numerous bomb threats that have proven to be hoaxes, leading to temporary closures and evacuations.

While DeWine acknowledged that campaign visits from presidential candidates are generally welcomed, he also recognized the challenges they pose. "I have to state the reality though that resources are really, really stretched here," he said. Despite this, DeWine mentioned that he has not heard anything about the potential visits of either Trump or the Republican vice presidential nominee, Ohio Senator JD Vance.

In response to these developments, the Trump campaign spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, highlighted the "very real problems" faced by the residents of Springfield, including high rent costs, stressed public health and education services, increased vehicular accidents, and public safety concerns due to a sudden influx of migrants. Leavitt stated that President Trump would continue to address these issues and make America safe again.

Meanwhile, Senator Vance, who has also spread the false claims about pets in Springfield, told reporters that he had not made any plans to visit the city. When asked about accompanying Trump on the trip or having his own travel plans, Vance said that no trip had been formalized, emphasizing that safety would be a top concern.

As the controversies surrounding these unfounded claims and potential visits continue, the residents of Springfield, Ohio remain focused on addressing the genuine challenges they face and ensuring the safety and well-being of their community.