Springfield gears up for a visit from Trump

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — A sleepy Ohio city-turned-center of the political universe has faced an onslaught of bomb threats in recent weeks over baseless conspiracy theories about its population of Haitian migrants.

Now it’s bracing for another challenge: A possible visit from Donald Trump.

The former president — who threw Springfield, Ohio, into disarray earlier this month when he falsely claimed an “invasion” of Haitian migrants here were eating cats, dogs and geese — declared at a recent campaign rally that he planned to visit the city in the coming weeks, though it’s unclear if he actually will come. And although he has not announced an appearance date, some residents are welcoming the visit — while others are readying themselves for impact.

“I think everybody needs to be heard, but I feel like you're adding fuel to the fire,” said Amanda Jones, a nurse practitioner in the area. “Resources are already spread super thin in this area, not only for the people's safety that's going to attend, but also for the candidate’s safety as well, because it's a very divisive time right now.”

Springfield Mayor Rob Rue, a Republican, urged Trump not to come, saying during a press conference last week it would “undoubtedly place additional demands on our safety infrastructure.”

“Should he choose to change his plans, it would convey a significant message of peace to the city of Springfield,” Rue said, adding that the city is “committed to ensuring that the event proceeds safely and smoothly for both the residents and visitors.”

Trump’s campaign did not provide specifics on Trump’s plans to visit to Springfield. In a statement, Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “While the media may find these stories and experiences unimportant and inconvenient, President Trump will continue giving a voice to Americans who are expressing their concerns about the influx of illegals and rising migrant crime in their communities.”

As of Wednesday morning, the Secret Service — which coordinates campaign event safety with state and local law enforcement — had not informed the state of a planned visit, according to Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

Still, Wilson said, “obviously, if he comes, it won't be a surprise.” He promised that state and local law enforcement “will be equipped to handle whatever comes our way.”

A group of congressional Democrats is also planning a trip to Springfield in solidarity with the migrants, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) — who is Haitian American — said Friday at a news conference. Members of the congressional Haitian Caucus on Friday introduced a resolution to condemn racism against the Haitian community.

In the weeks since Trump first claimed at the presidential debate that Haitian migrants were eating pets — which Springfield officials have repeatedly denied — the small Ohio city has contended with dozens of threats that have shuttered schools, government buildings, hospitals and stores.

Police have erected watch towers throughout the city, which now has a pack of bomb-sniffing dogs and a cadre of state law enforcement personnel ready to respond at a moment’s notice, according to Wilson. Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine — who on Friday criticized Trump and his running mate , Ohio Sen. JD Vance, for “rhetoric” he said “hurts the city and its people” — stationed state troopers at each of Springfield’s public schools for the duration of each school day.

“Locally, the resources are stretched thin, there's no doubt about it,” Wilson said. But, he added: “The fact that we have a bunch of resources over there already, from a state perspective, makes [a Trump visit] less logistically heavy for us, actually.”

Some residents of Springfield and the surrounding area told POLITICO they were concerned a Trump visit would inflame tensions.

“I definitely don't want him coming to Ohio,” said Judy Shaw, a Democrat who had joined her Republican partner to attend a town hall with Trump surrogate Vivek Ramaswamy. “I think it wouldn't bring anything good.”

Rob Baker, a professor of American politics who has taught at the local Wittenberg University since the 1980s, said political candidates on both sides of the aisle frequently stop in Springfield, and that “Normally, I would hope that any campaign would come here, I'd take my students to enjoy that and experience that.”

“But we don't need that,” he continued. “We've had too much, and it's rough, and we're getting taken advantage of.”

Resident Amy Smith, who said she loved the town’s diversity, was more forceful about a potential Trump visit. “He can stay away,” she said. “He can jump off a cliff.”

Others residents were concerned for Trump’s own safety after he survived two assassination attempts in as many months.

“I think it's not a good idea, to be honest,” said Kalen Jablonski, 17, who attends high school in Springfield. “We don't need a third attempt.”

But many residents told POLITICO they were excited at the prospect of a Trump visit — saying his comments about Springfield had brought what they believed to be much-needed attention to the city.

Several residents said they feared Springfield was turning into a “third-world city” — echoing a phrase Trump and Vance use frequently — and multiple said they believed Haitians actually were eating pets, despite the assertions of their city government. Paul Meadows, who believes Springfield is “being invaded,” predicted the situation could “end up with violence in the street.”

“This obviously is not the correct attention, but we need attention, and we need help,” said Becky Bostick, a “lifelong resident” of Springfield who said she had called the police 11 times over geese around her house she believes have been taken by Haitians.

“I think regardless of how it shakes out, any politician is welcome to our town,” Bostick added. “Especially if they are going to be honest and truthful, I feel that we will continue with the chaos, the ill feelings, the insecurities, if he would come regardless or not.”