Springfield, Ohio, USA was shaken on Thursday morning when local authorities evacuated several government buildings, including City Hall, after receiving an emailed bomb threat.
The threat came as the small city found itself at the center of a controversial anti-migrant conspiracy theory that has gained traction through social media and has been amplified by former President Donald Trump.
The bomb threat was reported at 8:24 AM (1224 GMT), prompting swift action from police and emergency services. The evacuation was an immediate precautionary measure to ensure the safety of residents and city employees. Fortunately, local law enforcement later confirmed that there were no credible threats to public safety and that the situation was under control.
Springfield has been in the spotlight recently due to a viral and unfounded story alleging that Haitian migrants were stealing and eating pets. This narrative, pushed by Trump and heightened during his recent debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, has raised concerns about increasing racial tensions within the community. Critics have charged Trump and his running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, with stoking fear and division around immigration issues ahead of the upcoming elections.
The White House responded strongly, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre condemning the false claims as “filth” that endanger the lives of innocent people. “It is spreading filth that makes the lives of the communities that are being smeared here… it puts their lives in danger,” she stated.
Despite local officials confirming there have been no reports of pets being stolen, the persistence of this conspiracy theory has evidently resonated with some segments of the population, prompting heightened anxiety in Springfield and beyond as the election approaches.
