Trump Vows Mass Deportations Starting in Ohio, Despite Debunked Rumors

In a controversial campaign speech, U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump has vowed to carry out mass deportations if re-elected, beginning with Springfield, Ohio. The town has recently been at the center of false claims accusing Haitian migrants of eating pets and park animals.

“We’re going to start with Springfield,” Trump declared on Friday, asserting that immigration had “destroyed” the town. He also mentioned a second city in Colorado, where right-wing commentators have incorrectly claimed control by a Venezuelan gang.

Local officials in Springfield have debunked these claims, but the false narratives have already caused significant disruption. Violent threats have been made, leading to the closure of schools, and the community remains on edge. Springfield’s Mayor Bob Rue confirmed that bomb threats were issued against three schools on Friday, with at least one threat containing derogatory remarks about Haitians.

President Joe Biden responded to the situation, calling for calm and condemning Trump’s rhetoric. “This has to stop, what he’s doing. It has to stop,” Biden urged, calling the criticisms of Haitian migrants “simply wrong.”

The controversy follows nearly a week of unfounded rumors circulating about migrants harming pets and children, claims which Trump repeated during a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris earlier this week. Both Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Springfield’s police chief have dismissed the allegations as baseless, yet tensions in the community remain high.