The mayor of Springfield verifies that a staff member linked to Vance's campaign was informed by a city representative that rumors about Haitian immigrants being unfounded were false.
Mayor Rob Rue acknowledged to CNN on Thursday night that Springfield city manager Bryan Heck received a call on September 9 from an aide of vice presidential nominee JD Vance, as reported by the Wall Street Journal the previous day. Heck informed the Journal that the aide inquired about rumors that Haitian immigrants were engaging in the unthinkable act of stealing and consuming local pets.
Heck clarified to the Journal that "He asked directly, 'Are the rumors true about pets being taken and eaten?'" To which, he replied, "There isn't any substantial proof or reports to corroborate this allegation. The claims are unsubstantiated."
During an interview on CNN's "Laura Coates Live" on Thursday, Rue confirmed that the call happened, the response was given, and the repercussions followed suit.
CNN has reached out several times to Heck for comment but has yet to receive a response.
On September 10, following the city official's refutal of the rumors, former President Trump took to spreading the falsehood that Haitian immigrants in Springfield were stealing and eating domestic pets, propelling the Midwestern city into an undesired national limelight, rousing threats of violence against its residents.
Since the debate on September 10, Springfield has experienced over 35 threatening incidents, including bomb threats and school evictions, hospital lockdowns, and online learning transitions at several local universities.
Despite the discreditation of the false rumors, Trump and Vance have remained unrepentant.
When asked by CNN's Dana Bash on September 12 to provide evidence to back up his claims, Vance, an Ohio senator, claimed to have received concerns from constituents, however, didn't supply any supporting information.
"My constituents have brought around a dozen distinct concerns to me. Ten of them can be authenticated and proven, while two or three I speak about because my constituents themselves are sharing firsthand experiences of these occurrences. So I have two choices, Dana. I can disregard them, which is what the American media has done for years to this community, or I can actually discuss what people are telling me," Vance stated.
In response to CNN's inquiry regarding the Journal's report, a representative for Vance accused the media of "deliberately distorting Senator Vance's statements."
The unfounded claims and ensuing threats plunged Springfield into chaos, prompting Rue to declare a proclamation on Thursday granting himself temporary emergency powers to procure and mobilize resources while addressing potential threats on September 16.
The proclamation stated, "This will enable departments to react more promptly to emerging risks, such as civil unrest, cyber threats, and potential acts of violence."
The Haitian immigrant community, which is estimated to be around 12,000 to 15,000 people, has expressed apprehension for their safety.
Haitian immigrant Vilbrun Dorsainvil shared with CNN that since last week, people in his predominantly Haitian neighborhood have grown increasingly reluctant to leave their homes due to fear.
As Springfield grappled with managing the torrent of threats, Trump announced at a campaign rally on September 15 that he would visit Springfield "in the next two weeks."
However, Rue hinted that a visit from either presidential candidate would exacerbate the city's resources.
"Should (Trump) decide to alter his plans, it would convey an unmistakable message of peace to Springfield," Rue said. "We've implored repeatedly that those with significant influence and a nationwide platform speak the truth. And we need aid, not animosity."
Rue lamented that the false claims and frenzied public discourse have impeded meaningful conversations about immigration reform.
"Regrettably, it obscures the true issue, which is the need to scrutinize immigration reform for cities such as ours," Rue relayed to CNN. "That's what we're seeking from federal legislators – their attention to what's going on and how they may best serve their country by formulating immigration and border policies."
Contributions to the report by CNN's Chelsea Bailey, Meridith Edwards, and Omar Jimenez.
The controversy surrounding the unproven rumors of Haitian immigrants stealing and consuming local pets has become a significant topic in local politics, with Mayor Rob Rue and city manager Bryan Heck both addressing it publicly.
Despite the city manager's refutation of the rumors and CNN's efforts to clarify the situation, the false claims have continued to influence politics at a national level, with figures like former President Trump and Ohio senator JD Vance perpetuating them.
