Fri. Oct 4th, 2024
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine speaks during a press conference on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 announcing the state police will be patrolling schools after Springfield received numerous threats following former President Donald Trump's false claim about Haitian immigrants. (Screenshot - WKYC)

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The uproar stemming from a debunked rumor about Haitian migrants peddled by former President Donald Trump and his running mate U.S. Senator JD Vance, has been attributed to a spike in threats at Springfield and prompted Ohio state police to protest schools.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said at a news conference on Monday that dozens of Ohio State Highway Patrol officers will be stationed at schools starting Tuesday due to the alarming amount of threats the small city has received. The Republican governor told the press on Monday that the city has received at least 33 bombs threats since last week.

The beefed up security measures will include state police officers sweeping school buildings every morning before staff and students arrive. The increased security has also called for the implementation of more security cameras throughout the city and the use of a bomb sniffing dog.

Trump and Vance has not backed down from the racist claim both candidates for president and vice president, respectively, made on the campaign trail that Haitian migrants are stealing and eating residents’ dogs and cats.

More on the backlash and fallout from Trump and Vance’s false claim.