Biden Condemns Trump’s Misuse of Discredited Claims on Haitian Migrants

On September 13, President Joe Biden condemned the recent spread of false anti-migrant conspiracy theories by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump relating to Haitian immigrants in Ohio. During a White House event, Biden criticized Trump’s misleading statements that suggested migrants were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, statements that Trump reiterated in a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.

These claims have created a distressing atmosphere in Springfield, leading to bomb threats that resulted in the evacuation of local schools and public buildings. “I want to take a moment to say something,” Biden expressed. “Like so many Americans, like [White House press secretary] Karine [Jean-Pierre], a proud Haitian American, we see a community under attack. It’s simply wrong. There is no place for this in America. This has to stop.” The urgency of his remarks underscores the gravity of the situation.

On the day Biden spoke out, Springfield schools again faced bomb threats that led to evacuations. Roosevelt Middle School closed its doors before students arrived, while Perrin Woods and Snowhill elementary schools evacuated students due to the threats received that morning.

In the wake of Trump’s incendiary remarks, city buildings and a courthouse had already been evacuated the previous day. City officials reported receiving an alarming email targeting several local commissioners and employees, as well as another message that threatened schools and government offices, including the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

The Springfield Police Department is collaborating with the Dayton FBI office to trace the origins of these threats. City Manager Brian Heck aimed to dispel the unfounded claims made by Trump, stating in a video that there is no evidence to support the idea that migrants had been harming animals. “It is disappointing that some of the narrative surrounding our city has been skewed by misinformation circulating on social media and further amplified by political rhetoric in the current highly charged presidential election cycle,” Heck added.

Heck acknowledged that Springfield has seen a notable increase in new residents, including a growing migrant population, which has strained local resources. However, he pointed out that this influx has also contributed positively to the region’s economic stability.

Local law enforcement had to respond to multiple bomb threats against public facilities in Springfield. Chief Allison Elliott emphasized the seriousness of the situation during a Thursday press briefing, stating, “This public safety threat prompted an immediate response from local and regional law enforcement and our public safety partners.” The mayor of Springfield, Bob Rue, described the threats as using “hateful language towards immigrants and Haitians in our community,” clearly linking the rhetoric to Trump’s statements.

The troubling narrative surrounding Haitian migrants started when local news reported an incident involving a woman arrested for allegedly killing and eating someone’s cat—an event that occurred two hours away from Springfield and involved a U.S.-born individual, not a migrant. This incident was distorted by right-wing social media, where it was mischaracterized as showcasing migrant crime, subsequently going viral on platforms like X.

During the debate, Trump escalated this narrative, claiming, “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there.” Such inflammatory rhetoric not only misrepresents the truth but also fuels fear and hostility in local communities.

The spreading of these falsehoods has dire consequences, not only for the Haitian community in Springfield but also for public safety as threats become a reality. As tensions continue to rise, officials urge the public to disregard baseless claims and focus on the facts rather than the fearmongering that politicizes and mischaracterizes vulnerable communities.

Source: UPI