Ohio Mayor Says He Would Be ‘Fine’ If Trump Didn’t Visit
The mayor of Springfield, Ohio, said a visit to the region by Donald Trump would be an “extreme strain” on the city’s resources, and he would be “fine” if the former president decided not to come.
Springfield has become a nationwide name after Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance (R), spread lies that the city’s Haitian immigrants were eating residents’ pets. Trump has shared those falsehoods in recent days, including on the debate stage against Vice President Kamala Harris.
The former president was reported to be planning to visit the city “soon,” although it’s unclear if those efforts have firmed up in recent days.
“It would be an extreme strain on our resources,” Mayor Rob Rue said during a news conference on Tuesday, per NBC. “So it’d be fine with me if they decided not to make that visit.”
Local officials have soundly debunked the claims, and Rue said last week such rhetoric was hurting citizens and the community.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) has lashed out at the lies about Springfield and said while the state would normally be happy to welcome presidential candidates, right now, resources were stretched “really, really” thin.
Springfield has since become the site of dozens of bomb threats: The Associated Press reports at least 30 have been made against schools, government buildings and city officials’ homes since the rumors began to spread. The city was also forced to cancel an annual diversity and arts festival in response to threats.
DeWine recently sent state troopers to Springfield amid the rash of threats, who will be stationed at public schools.
The city has seen an influx of immigrants, many from Haiti, in recent years. Haitians now account for about 15% of the population, and Rue has said the surge in population has strained the city’s resources.
“Springfield is a community that needs help,” Rue told The Washington Post last week, adding national leaders should not “hurt a community like, unfortunately, we have seen over the last couple of days.”
