Republican Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio said Monday that dozens of bomb threats received at Springfield, Ohio, schools are hoaxes originating from outside the United States.
The city has struggled to handle an influx of at least 20,000 Haitian migrants who have contributed to an increase in traffic accidents and skyrocketing housing prices, with many residents blaming President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas for the situation.
DeWine revealed the origin of the hoaxes while announcing that the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be conducting daily bomb sweeps at the schools, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Read: Republican Rep. Minnesota Tom Emmer Spars With CNN Host Over Migrant Crisis In Ohio
“We have people, unfortunately overseas, who are taking these actions. Some of them are coming from one particular country,” DeWine said during a Monday afternoon news conference, declining to name the country in question and vowing to keep schools open.
Authorities ordered an evacuation from Springfield’s city hall Thursday after a bomb threat was emailed to officials.
Democrats criticized former President Donald Trump and Republican Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, claiming the Republican ticket was spreading false stories about Haitian migrants. Trump mentioned the reports from residents during his Tuesday debate with Harris, helping propel the story to national attention.
DeWine has not criticized Trump for repeating the comments, even as he has denied that Haitian migrants are eating pets, the Dispatch reported. Local residents have pushed back against denials from city officials that pets have been taken and eaten.
Read: Court Watchers Point To Supreme Court’s Liberal Wing As Likely Culprit Behind Latest Leak
Republican Attorney General Dave Yost of Ohio defended the citizens in a Wednesday post on X, questioning why a “press release” was being viewed by some media as “better evidence” than the reports from residents.
“There’s a recorded police call from a witness who saw immigrants capturing geese for food in Springfield. Citizens testified to City Council,” Yost said. “These people would be competent witnesses in court.
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First published by the Daily Caller News Foundation.