Ohio Deploys State Police to Springfield Schools Amid False Bomb Threats ‌and ​Inflammatory Rhetoric

Ohio deployed state police to a Springfield​ school on Tuesday in response⁣ to⁤ a series ‍of false bomb threats, most of which ‌officials said originated from overseas. This comes after former U.S. President Donald Trump and his running ⁣mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, falsely⁤ claimed that ⁣legal Haitian immigrants in the small city eat dogs and cats.

Springfield schools, government buildings, and‍ the homes of elected officials⁤ were targeted with over ⁣30 false ‍threats last week, forcing evacuations ⁣and ‍closures. Two more schools were⁤ evacuated on ‌Monday, ‌and a high school was threatened‌ on Tuesday. Republican Gov. Mike ​DeWine stated that foreign actors were primarily responsible but declined to name the country.

Despite the deployment of dozens​ of Ohio State⁢ Highway Patrol officers to protect 18 schools in the Springfield City School District, many parents decided to keep their children⁢ at home. At one elementary school, approximately 200 of the​ 500‍ students were absent on Tuesday.

“Fear remains high after​ a week of unfounded threats and scams undermining our ⁢very existence,” said Robert Hill, ⁤CEO of the Springfield City Schools District, speaking with DeWine at a news conference.

Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims

After Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump ⁤claimed that illegal immigrants were eating dogs and cats ⁢in Springfield, Ohio, ABC ⁢News debate⁤ moderator David Muir reported ⁣that the city manager told ABC News there had ⁣been “no credible reports” of such incidents.

DeWine stated that two highway patrol officers have been assigned to each‌ school and that the rule will remain in place “for‍ as⁢ long as⁣ necessary.” He emphasized, “We don’t believe there is a real ⁤threat ⁣out there, but we certainly won’t take any chances. And we want parents to feel confident that ⁤their children can go to school and learn like kids.”

Trump‍ Expands on Refuted‌ Rumors

In recent years, thousands ​of Haitian immigrants have settled ⁤in the city of about 60,000, a predominantly white, working-class community about 70⁢ kilometers from the state capital, Columbus. They have found work in factories and warehouses that were ⁣struggling ‍to find jobs.

The sudden influx strained ‍schools, healthcare facilities, and city services, and sent housing costs soaring — a‍ major political ⁤issue ​under President Trump.⁤ During last​ week’s presidential debate, Vance mentioned‍ eating pets,⁢ repeating the ⁣false claim.

Springfield Mayor Responds

“We didn’t have a threat seven days ago. We didn’t have this concern seven days‌ ago. We ⁣didn’t have ⁣hundreds of thousands of⁣ dollars spent⁣ in support of Springfield and ⁢the state ‍of⁢ Ohio seven days ago. We​ do⁤ today,” Springfield Mayor Rob Ruehle said on Tuesday.

Although Ruehle did​ not mention Trump or Vance by name, he urged national leaders to “control their words and tell the truth.” He emphasized, “That’s what ‍Springfield needs. We need peace. We need help, not hate.”

‘Tiring’ and ‘Harmful’ Rhetoric

Vice President Kamala Harris, responding ‌to questions at a Black Journalists’ Forum in Philadelphia on Tuesday, said her heart ‌aches for Springfield. ⁤She stated that the inflammatory rhetoric about ⁤Haitian immigrants is⁤ “tired, harmful, hateful, and⁢ based on old ideas that we cannot tolerate.”

Vance did⁤ not back down,‍ writing on social media platform X that “citizens ⁢are​ telling⁣ us there is a problem in Springfield,” and he repeatedly condemned the threats. He accused Harris of ignoring‍ residents’ legitimate concerns and trying to stifle discussion.

DeWine’s spokesman, Dan Tierney, stated that the “vast majority” of bomb threats ​came from overseas. He said criminal investigations by⁤ multiple law enforcement agencies have provided information⁢ about ⁣the source of the threats.

Tierney would not specify how investigators determined‌ the threats were‍ from a foreign country, nor ⁣did he name the country, which he said could create additional threats.