Ohio's governor says it's 'not helpful' for Trump and others to discuss pets being eaten
Governor Mike DeWine stated, "There’s no evidence of this at all."
TroibNews 
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine stated on Sunday that it is "not helpful" for members of his party, including former President Donald Trump, to disseminate "garbage" allegations suggesting that Haitian immigrants are consuming pets stolen from the streets of Springfield, Ohio.
DeWine made these remarks during an appearance on ABC's "This Week," addressing claims that have been reiterated by Trump and others in recent weeks. Such statements have contributed to threats against the Haitian community that has settled in the Ohio city, situated between Columbus and Dayton, over the past few years.
He remarked, "There’s a lot of garbage on the internet," emphasizing that these accusations are categorically false and lack any supporting evidence.
Regarding the Haitian population in Springfield, DeWine asserted their right to reside in the area, noting that they are welcomed members of the community.
He explained, "What we know is that the Haitians who are in Springfield are legal... These Haitians came in to work for these companies. What the companies tell us is that they are very good workers. They’re very happy to have them there. And, frankly, that’s helped the economy."
While DeWine acknowledged the challenges posed by the influx of migrants, he indicated that Ohio is seeking assistance to address the strain on local resources.
"We have challenges every day. We are working on these challenges," he said, despite his support for Trump’s presidential campaign.
The initial stories labeling immigrants as pet consumers began to circulate online weeks ago and gained traction after being mentioned by Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance and subsequently by Trump during last week's debate against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Critics argue that these unfounded claims are intended to vilify Haitians and other immigrant groups.
"In his elevation of something akin to blood libel," Lydia Polgreen wrote of Trump in a New York Times opinion piece, "against a group of blameless legal immigrants who came to America from their strife-torn nation in search of a better life through hard work, like so many immigrants to our shores before them, he has proved himself a dangerous and malevolent figure."
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
DeWine made these remarks during an appearance on ABC's "This Week," addressing claims that have been reiterated by Trump and others in recent weeks. Such statements have contributed to threats against the Haitian community that has settled in the Ohio city, situated between Columbus and Dayton, over the past few years.
He remarked, "There’s a lot of garbage on the internet," emphasizing that these accusations are categorically false and lack any supporting evidence.
Regarding the Haitian population in Springfield, DeWine asserted their right to reside in the area, noting that they are welcomed members of the community.
He explained, "What we know is that the Haitians who are in Springfield are legal... These Haitians came in to work for these companies. What the companies tell us is that they are very good workers. They’re very happy to have them there. And, frankly, that’s helped the economy."
While DeWine acknowledged the challenges posed by the influx of migrants, he indicated that Ohio is seeking assistance to address the strain on local resources.
"We have challenges every day. We are working on these challenges," he said, despite his support for Trump’s presidential campaign.
The initial stories labeling immigrants as pet consumers began to circulate online weeks ago and gained traction after being mentioned by Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance and subsequently by Trump during last week's debate against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Critics argue that these unfounded claims are intended to vilify Haitians and other immigrant groups.
"In his elevation of something akin to blood libel," Lydia Polgreen wrote of Trump in a New York Times opinion piece, "against a group of blameless legal immigrants who came to America from their strife-torn nation in search of a better life through hard work, like so many immigrants to our shores before them, he has proved himself a dangerous and malevolent figure."
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
