First on FoxA group of Republicans wrote to national law enforcement and intelligence chiefs on Friday requesting a weekly update on foreign affairs. Election interference A bomb threat in Springfield, Ohio turned out to be a “hoax” from abroad.
Ten House Republicans wrote to Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, FBI Director Chris Wray and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding to know which country was involved in the 33 “false” bomb threats in Springfield and what steps they have taken to address social media campaigns, cyber espionage and threats of physical harm made by foreign actors.
Governor of Ohio Mike DeWine revealed Monday that local law enforcement had acted on 33 hoax bomb threats made against hospitals, schools and government offices in Springfield.
“33 threats. 33 deceptions,” DeWine said during a press conference in Springfield. “I want to make that very, very clear. None of this had any validity.”
People look on as Springfield Police Department officers investigate Springfield City Hall after a threat was received to bomb the building on September 12, 2024. (ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
The governor said most of the threats were coming from “one particular country,” which he declined to name.
“Unfortunately, we have people overseas who are taking these steps,” DeWine said. “Some of those people are coming from a particular country.”
“American people And the Congress “We deserve to know which of our foreign adversaries are intentionally spreading misinformation to sow fear and confusion. I stand ready to assist you in every way possible to ensure the security and integrity of the 2024 elections,” Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, wrote in the letter.
Springfield found itself on the national stage after social media posts went viral about Haitian immigrants eating pets, claims that turned out to be unverified. Former President Trump promoted the unfounded claim during his Sept. 10 debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.
“In Springfield they’re eating dogs. People who have come there, they’re eating their cats. They’re eating the pets of people who live there,” he said.
“These bomb threats have forced the closure and evacuation of municipal buildings and schools, placing additional strain on police and social services, which are already overburdened by the influx of Haitian immigrants in the community,” said the letter, signed by Republican Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, Mike Carey of Ohio, Gooden and others.
Springfield’s Republican leadership says they are overwhelmed by the arrival of 15,000 to 20,000 Haitian immigrants. (Joseph A. Wolfson/Fox News Digital)
“The purpose of these subterfuges is clear: our foreign enemies seek to fuel the flames of division.”
But the Republican leadership in the city of 60,000 people says it has been overwhelmed by the arrival of 15,000 to 20,000 Haitian immigrants. Many have come to the U.S. under temporary protected status, which allows them to live and work in the U.S. for a limited time.
ohio Attorney General Dave Yost The federal government has not properly coordinated the resettlement of those migrants in the city, and so it is “putting pressure on schools, the health care system and the security apparatus,” he told Fox News Digital. He said at least 4,000 migrants are receiving government assistance.
Russia and Iran has been accused of meddling in US elections. Earlier this month, the Justice Department seized websites and detained Russian media workers it accused the Kremlin of using to spread misinformation and sow discord.
“We think this is another opportunity to mess with the United States,” DeWine said of foreign actors making threats. “And they continue to do so.”
“We can’t let the bad guys win. Our schools must stay open,” he said, adding that additional law enforcement resources would be deployed to Springfield amid growing threats.
“The people who are doing this are doing it to sow discord in our community,” said Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson. “We cannot allow them to do that. We have to continue to provide the services that the citizens of Springfield and Clark County expect.”
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Springfield City Manager Brian Heck has said there have been “no credible reports of specific claims of harm, injury or abuse of pets by anyone in the immigrant community.”
The city has canceled its upcoming annual festival of diversity, arts and culture because of the increased threats, officials said Monday.
