DeWine Targets Trump, Vance Regarding Springfield Statements
DeWine expressed his disappointment regarding the ongoing claims made by certain individuals that lack supporting evidence, which also undermine the legal migrants residing in Springfield: “I am saddened by how they and others continue to repeat claims that lack evidence and disparage the legal migrants living in Springfield.”
TroibNews 
Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine expressed his ongoing criticism of former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance in a guest essay published in The New York Times on Friday, addressing false claims about Haitian immigrants purportedly eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.
“As a supporter of former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance, I am saddened by how they and others continue to repeat claims that lack evidence and disparage the legal migrants living in Springfield,” DeWine wrote. “This rhetoric hurts the city and its people, and it hurts those who have spent their lives there.”
The situation escalated after Vance shared the unverified claims on social media over a week ago, which Trump further sensationalized by stating during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, “they’re eating the pets of the people that live there.” Vance has stood by his decision to highlight Springfield, while local officials have deemed the allegations unfounded.
A spokesperson for Vance's campaign commented that while Vance appreciates DeWine's backing, “they're not always going to agree on every issue.” William Martin, the spokesperson, added, “When Kamala Harris abuses our immigration system to bring thousands of illegal immigrants into this country, small Ohio towns like Springfield bear the brunt of the burden.”
In his essay, DeWine defended the Haitian migrants residing in Springfield, emphasizing that “They are there legally. They are there to work.” He expressed concern over how the city has become “the epicenter of vitriol over America’s immigration policy.”
These remarks represent DeWine's strongest criticism to date regarding Trump's impact on the community's public perception. During a press conference on Thursday, he stated he had not reached out to Trump about the allegations, suggesting it “wouldn’t do any good.” Trump has expressed interest in visiting Springfield, a move that Mayor Rob Rue noted would “undoubtedly place additional demands on our safety infrastructure.”
Having received Trump’s endorsement for reelection in 2022, DeWine highlighted the vital role Haitian migrants play in the local economy, noting they have integrated well into the workforce and that some businesses might not have survived the pandemic without their contributions.
While he criticized the Biden administration’s “failure to control the southern border,” DeWine indicated that although Trump and Vance are “rightfully deeply concerned about” immigration, “their verbal attacks against these Haitians — who are legally present in the United States — dilute and cloud what should be a winning argument about the border.”
In response to a request for comment, the Harris campaign pointed to her statements during the debate about a bipartisan border security bill that collapsed earlier this year following Trump's condemnation. “He preferred to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem,” Harris said during the debate.
DeWine also recognized the strain that the arrival of thousands of migrants has placed on the local infrastructure: “The health care system, housing market and school classrooms have been strained. There is a desperate need for more Haitian Creole translators. And ensuring that Haitians learn how to drive safely and understand our driving customs and traffic laws remains a top priority.”
Recently, DeWine announced a $2.5 million investment to expand “primary care access for everyone living in Springfield” and instructed the Ohio State Highway Patrol to assist the Springfield Police Department with traffic enforcement.
On Monday, DeWine indicated he would deploy 36 members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Mobile Field Force to secure Springfield’s schools in response to a series of bomb threats that have unsettled the area.
“This isn’t just personal for a lot of us; it’s about our pride in America,” he wrote.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
“As a supporter of former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance, I am saddened by how they and others continue to repeat claims that lack evidence and disparage the legal migrants living in Springfield,” DeWine wrote. “This rhetoric hurts the city and its people, and it hurts those who have spent their lives there.”
The situation escalated after Vance shared the unverified claims on social media over a week ago, which Trump further sensationalized by stating during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, “they’re eating the pets of the people that live there.” Vance has stood by his decision to highlight Springfield, while local officials have deemed the allegations unfounded.
A spokesperson for Vance's campaign commented that while Vance appreciates DeWine's backing, “they're not always going to agree on every issue.” William Martin, the spokesperson, added, “When Kamala Harris abuses our immigration system to bring thousands of illegal immigrants into this country, small Ohio towns like Springfield bear the brunt of the burden.”
In his essay, DeWine defended the Haitian migrants residing in Springfield, emphasizing that “They are there legally. They are there to work.” He expressed concern over how the city has become “the epicenter of vitriol over America’s immigration policy.”
These remarks represent DeWine's strongest criticism to date regarding Trump's impact on the community's public perception. During a press conference on Thursday, he stated he had not reached out to Trump about the allegations, suggesting it “wouldn’t do any good.” Trump has expressed interest in visiting Springfield, a move that Mayor Rob Rue noted would “undoubtedly place additional demands on our safety infrastructure.”
Having received Trump’s endorsement for reelection in 2022, DeWine highlighted the vital role Haitian migrants play in the local economy, noting they have integrated well into the workforce and that some businesses might not have survived the pandemic without their contributions.
While he criticized the Biden administration’s “failure to control the southern border,” DeWine indicated that although Trump and Vance are “rightfully deeply concerned about” immigration, “their verbal attacks against these Haitians — who are legally present in the United States — dilute and cloud what should be a winning argument about the border.”
In response to a request for comment, the Harris campaign pointed to her statements during the debate about a bipartisan border security bill that collapsed earlier this year following Trump's condemnation. “He preferred to run on a problem instead of fixing a problem,” Harris said during the debate.
DeWine also recognized the strain that the arrival of thousands of migrants has placed on the local infrastructure: “The health care system, housing market and school classrooms have been strained. There is a desperate need for more Haitian Creole translators. And ensuring that Haitians learn how to drive safely and understand our driving customs and traffic laws remains a top priority.”
Recently, DeWine announced a $2.5 million investment to expand “primary care access for everyone living in Springfield” and instructed the Ohio State Highway Patrol to assist the Springfield Police Department with traffic enforcement.
On Monday, DeWine indicated he would deploy 36 members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Mobile Field Force to secure Springfield’s schools in response to a series of bomb threats that have unsettled the area.
“This isn’t just personal for a lot of us; it’s about our pride in America,” he wrote.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
