An Ohio judge is set to hold a hearing to determine if former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance should face arrest for spreading false claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are eating cats and dogs. The criminal complaint, filed by the activist group Haitian Bridge Alliance, alleges that these rumors incited violence, leading to threats against the local Haitian community.
Subodh Chandra, the Alliance's lawyer, brought the case to the Clark County Municipal Court under an Ohio statute that permits private citizens to initiate criminal proceedings. The allegations against Trump and Vance include making false alarms, telecommunications harassment, aggravated menacing, complicity, and disruption of public services. According to Chandra's affidavit, their comments caused bomb threats and other disruptions to the public services in Springfield.
Chandra explained to *Newsweek* that if the judge does not immediately order their arrest, the judge must still hold a hearing to assess if the case should proceed. However, Syracuse University law professor Greg Germain expressed doubts about the case’s likelihood of success. He noted that proving “knowledge of falsity” when politicians spread rumors can be a significant challenge. Germain added that the U.S. Supreme Court would likely shield Trump and Vance under the First Amendment, as political speech often enjoys broad protection.
While the chances of criminal conviction appear slim, Germain believes the Haitian Bridge Alliance is more focused on bringing attention to Trump’s and Vance’s "reckless statements." He emphasized that public opinion could be the true battleground in this case.
The controversy has dominated headlines in Springfield since Trump and Vance repeated the unfounded claims about Haitian immigrants eating pets. Trump even reiterated this accusation during a recent debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Legal experts have weighed in on potential alternative legal routes. Stephen Gillers, a law professor at New York University, suggested that a defamation lawsuit might be more effective. Gillers explained that while Ohio allows private criminal complaints, proving these statements are criminal is a separate issue. He further pointed out that while Trump and Vance's remarks targeted the Haitian community as a whole, individual members of the group may still have grounds for a civil defamation suit, possibly as a class action.
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