Springfield bomb threat used 'hateful' language against immigrants, Haitians

The bomb threat that led to the evacuation of Springfield, Ohio's City Hall on Thursday used harmful language against the city's immigrant community and echoes recent false claims made by Republicans, including former President Trump.

Springfield Mayor Rob Lew said The Washington Post He said the threat “used hateful language against immigrants and Haitians in our community.”

During the second presidential debate on Tuesday, Trump said immigrants were “eating dog” in a rural town 45 minutes west of Columbus.

“What have they done to our country by allowing millions of people into our country? And look what's happening to our towns. [in the] “America. A lot of towns don't want to talk,” Trump said. “Aurora isn't one of them.” [or] “Springfield. A lot of towns don't want to talk about it because it's so embarrassing. In Springfield, we eat dogs.”

in Suspension of election activities Trump doubled down on those claims Thursday afternoon in Arizona, saying 20,000 illegal Haitian immigrants had “invaded a town of 58,000 people and are destroying their way of life.”

“Residents are reporting that immigrants are taking the town's geese. They're taking the geese. You know where the geese are, the parks. They're even taking their pets,” Trump said.

City officials continue to insist that this is not the case, and Lu said the allegations have “hurt” the community.

“Springfield is a dynamic community with many positive attributes,” added Springfield City Manager Brian Heck. Video Statement “It is unfortunate that part of the narrative surrounding our city has been distorted by misinformation spread on social media and further amplified by political rhetoric.”