A Haitian nonprofit organization has filed criminal charges against former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance, accusing them of promoting false claims that have led to threats and harassment in Springfield, Ohio.
Newsweek reported that the Haitian Bridge Alliance took legal action after the two politicians broke the story about residents reporting that Haitian immigrants had been killing and eating pets.
Residents have also complained of other issues brought by the thousands of Haitians that have inexplicably been dumped in rural Ohio by the Biden administration.
The group, represented by attorney Subodh Chandra, filed the charges on Tuesday in Clark County Municipal Court. This legal step came after local prosecutors declined to pursue the case, presumably because initial discovery showed that the accusations had merit to them and there was no case against Trump and Vance.
According to the Alliance, the false claims about Haitian immigrants have escalated tensions in the city, disrupting lives and endangering the Haitian community.
The controversy stems from statements made by Trump during a debate earlier this month with Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump alleged that Haitian immigrants in Springfield were responsible for killing and eating pets, specifically cats and dogs.
"In Springfield, they're eating the dogs—the people that came in. They're eating the cats," Trump claimed during the debate. His remarks were quickly debunked by local officials and law enforcement, who denied the claims.
It should be noted that the claims were coming from Springfield residents while city managers who are benefiting from the millions of dollars flowing in from the federal government to support the migrants denied the claims.
Despite these reassurances, the rumors spread rapidly throughout Springfield, generating widespread alarm and hostility towards the Haitian community.
City officials made public efforts to calm residents, emphasizing that the claims were false. However, the damage was already done.
The Haitian Bridge Alliance is accusing Trump and Vance of several criminal offenses, including disrupting public service, making false alarms, telecommunications harassment, aggravated menacing, and complicity.
The organization believes that the persistent spread of these falsehoods was deliberate and aimed at stirring fear and anger against Haitian immigrants in the area.
Subodh Chandra, the attorney representing the Alliance, noted that the persistence of these rumors, despite official debunking, demonstrated a willful disregard for the law. "Their persistence and relentlessness, even in the face of the governor and the mayor saying this is false, that shows intent. It's knowing, willful flouting of criminal law," Chandra said.
The Haitian community in Springfield has borne the brunt of the fallout from these rumors.
Many community members have reported feeling unsafe, with some considering leaving the city entirely due to the hostile environment. The Haitian Bridge Alliance has expressed concern that the situation has become untenable for the immigrants living there, as threats and harassment continue to escalate.
Springfield police have confirmed that there have been no reports or evidence supporting the claim that Haitian immigrants were involved in any form of violence or pet-related incidents. Despite these official reassurances, the rumors have continued to spread, amplified by Trump and Vance's public remarks.
In response to the legal action, Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, defended the former president’s comments.
In a statement to Newsweek, Cheung said that Trump was simply highlighting the broader issue of illegal immigration and its effects on communities across the United States.
"President Trump is rightfully highlighting the failed immigration system that Kamala Harris has overseen, bringing thousands of illegal immigrants pouring into communities like Springfield and many others across the country," Cheung said. He added that Trump would secure the border and restore order to communities affected by immigration.
The Haitian Bridge Alliance hopes that the charges will prompt a deeper investigation into Trump and Vance's role in spreading these false claims. The organization is seeking accountability, arguing that the two politicians knowingly perpetuated rumors that put lives at risk.
The nonprofit also aims for the charges to lead to arrest warrants for Trump and Vance, should the investigation prove their involvement in violating criminal statutes. While it remains unclear how the legal process will unfold, the Alliance is determined to see justice served for the Haitian community in Springfield.
