A mural is displayed in an alley downtown on September 16, 2024 in Springfield, Ohio.
Former President Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance's unfounded claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio weaken the Republican Party's border message, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine wrote in an op-ed published Friday.
"The Biden administration's failure to control the southern border is a very important issue that Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance are talking about and one that the American people are rightfully deeply concerned about," DeWine, a Republican, wrote in the New York Times.
"But 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," he said.
Trump's latest immigration claims thrust Springfield, Ohio into the national spotlight, after he and Vance — who represents Ohio in the Senate — promoted unfounded rumors that Haitian immigrants were stealing and eating city resident's pets.
Persons:
Donald Trump, JD, Mike DeWine, Biden, Trump, Vance, —, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Vance —
Organizations:
Republican, New York Times
Locations:
Springfield , Ohio, Ohio, United States