Members of the far-right group Proud Boys descended on Springfield, Ohio, as controversy swirled around debunked claims of migrants eating pets in the town.
According to Daily Mail Online, the situation has escalated with bomb threats targeting schools and colleges, while former President Donald Trump doubled down on his promise to visit the area.
Approximately 20 Proud Boys members were spotted marching in Springfield, carrying flags and placards. This comes as the town grapples with a series of bomb threats directed at educational institutions, including Wittenberg University, which received both a shooting threat and a bomb threat over the weekend.
The situation in Springfield gained national attention after Trump repeated unsubstantiated rumors during the presidential debate against Kamala Harris. He claimed that migrants in the town were "eating the dogs" and "eating the cats," despite local officials insisting there have been no credible reports of such incidents.
Ohio's Republican Governor Mike DeWine dismissed the claims as "garbage" on ABC's This Week, urging an end to the discussion. He emphasized that there is no evidence to support these allegations and that such comments are harmful to the city of Springfield and its residents.
Springfield Mayor Rob Rue expressed concern over the escalating situation, stating that the town is "caught in a political vortex" and that threats have increased due to national attention.
The appearance of the Proud Boys in Springfield follows a march by another extremist group, the neo-Nazi Blood Tribe, which took place in the town last month. The Blood Tribe reportedly promoted pet-eating rumors online and attempted to speak at a Springfield City Commission meeting.
The Proud Boys, classified as a terrorist group in Canada, have five chapters in Ohio, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Their presence in Springfield adds to the growing tensions in the area.
Trump's campaign team maintains that plans for his visit to Springfield are still being developed despite criticism from GOP leaders who have urged him to stay away.
The FBI is currently investigating the recent bomb threats that have disrupted schools and universities in Springfield. These incidents have forced closures and evacuations, adding to the strain on the local community.
JD Vance, Trump's pick for vice president and Ohio Senator, defended the pet-eating claims on NBC's Meet the Press. He suggested that creating such stories was necessary to draw media attention to the suffering of the American people.
Local law enforcement and city officials continue to refute the pet-eating allegations, emphasizing that there is no evidence to support these claims.
In Springfield, Ohio, the convergence of far-right groups, unsubstantiated rumors, and political rhetoric has created a tense atmosphere. The town faces bomb threats and national scrutiny as debates over immigration and community safety intensify. Local officials are working to address security concerns while dispelling misinformation as the community grapples with its newfound position at the center of a national controversy.
