A Haitian nonprofit has utilized a state-level legal quirk to file criminal charges against Donald Trump and Ohio Sen.  J.D. Vance, accusing the pair of spreading false claims that migrants are eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.

The lawsuit, initiated by the Haitian Bridge Alliance, argues that the statements from Trump and Vance led to harassment and fear targeting the Haitian migrant community in Springfield, as the Daily Mail reports.

The controversy began when J.D. Vance posted on social media on Sept. 9 discussing reports that Haitian immigrants in Springfield had been abducting and consuming pets.

This post was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Vance reiterated accusations that Haitian migrants were causing "chaos" and straining local services. Shortly after, during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Donald Trump echoed these claims, asserting that migrants in Springfield were eating residents' pets.

Nonprofit Leader Takes Action Through Ohio Statute

Guerline Jozef, the leader of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, utilized a somewhat unusual Ohio statute to file the criminal charges. Under this statute, private individuals can initiate legal action if they believe they know of a criminal offense that has occurred.

Jozef's charges claim that Trump and Vance's repeated misinformation directly harmed the Haitian community, many of whom had relocated to Springfield for factory jobs.

Springfield city officials, alongside Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, have publicly attempted to discredit the pet-eating rumors, categorizing them as baseless. Some local authorities have also suggested that they have seen no evidence to support claims that migrants have been consuming pets. Despite this, the rumor continued to gain traction, particularly after Trump amplified it through both the debate and his own social media channels.

Vance Defends Remarks Despite Backlash

In the days following his social media post, J.D. Vance appeared on NBC's Meet the Press, defending his remarks. He claimed he was merely repeating what his constituents had told him, saying, "I'm not repeating [the rumors] because I invented them out of thin air. I'm repeating them because my constituents are saying these things are happening."

The Haitian Bridge Alliance's lawsuit contends that the misinformation fueled a wave of harassment directed at Springfield's Haitian population. These migrants, many of whom are present in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), have faced threats and hoax bomb scares since the rumors began circulating. According to the lawsuit, this harassment directly resulted from Trump and Vance's persistent spreading of the allegations.

Governor Condemns Rumors Amid Community Tension

DeWine, whose hometown includes Springfield, has publicly condemned the rumors as harmful and false. He defended the Haitian migrants, describing them as essential workers who contribute to the local economy. The governor also criticized what he said was the vitriol and fear that has been directed toward the community, calling the hoax bomb threats unacceptable.

The lawsuit further alleges that the Republican figures committed multiple offenses under Ohio law, including false alarms, telecommunications harassment, and intentional dissemination of misinformation. Attorney Subodh Chandra, representing the Haitian Bridge Alliance, emphasized the seriousness of the charges.

"Their persistence and relentlessness, even in the face of the governor and the mayor saying this is false, that shows intent," Chandra said. He added that Trump and Vance knowingly disregarded the truth, "willfully flouting" the state's criminal statutes.

Springfield Officials Review Legal Case

City officials in Springfield are currently reviewing the lawsuit to determine whether it meets the standard of probable cause necessary for the case to move forward. If the charges are deemed valid, the case could go to court, where Trump and Vance would face legal consequences for their actions.

While doubt has been cast on the controversial allegations by both local and state authorities, Trump has continued to reference them in public appearances. During a recent campaign stop, Trump not only repeated the accusation but expanded it to include other cities, including Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. His campaign has defended these statements, with spokesperson Steven Cheung claiming Trump’s comments were a critique of the nation's immigration policies, particularly under Vice President Harris’s oversight.

"President Trump is rightfully highlighting the failed immigration system that (Vice President) Kamala Harris has overseen, bringing thousands of illegal immigrants pouring into communities like Springfield and many others across the country," Cheung stated.

Migrants Face Backlash

Despite official denials of the rumors, Springfield's Haitian community remains a focal point for tension and alleged harassment. Many residents are fearful, worried that the claims will continue to fuel hostility toward them. Local officials, including DeWine, have urged calm and unity, stressing that the migrants in question are legally present in the U.S. and contribute to the state’s workforce.

The Haitian Bridge Alliance hopes the lawsuit will bring attention to the harmful effects of such claims and hold Trump and Vance accountable for their role in promulgating them. The nonprofit argues that unchecked rumors can have serious, real-world consequences, as evidenced by what they say is the ongoing harassment in Springfield.

As the case moves forward, the migrant community remains on edge, awaiting the legal outcome that could have broader implications for how politicians address sensitive issues like immigration. For now, city and state leaders continue to stand by the Haitian workers in Springfield, working to dispel the claims that have stirred significant fear in the region.