Lawler issues statement on unfounded claims about Haitian Immigrants

On September 11, Congressman Mike Lawler’s (R-17) office released the following statement regarding claims being made and circulated about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. 

“Congressman Lawler is proud to represent one of the largest Haitian-American diasporas in the country, and has worked tirelessly to address issues important to the Haitian community — including working to resolve the unstable situation in Haiti,” said Congressman Lawler’s spokesman Nate Soule. “Congressman Lawler has not seen independent verification of the wild claims that have been spread by some about the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio. He encourages his colleagues to exercise great restraint when spreading unfounded theories and claims based off of posts on Facebook.”

Though not specified in the document shared with the RCT, the statement is likely a response to a comment made by Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump, who during a September 10 debate with Democrat Nominee Vice President Kamala Harris announced to the audience that “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs — the people that came in, they’re eating the cats. They’re eating — they’re eating the pets of the people that live there and this is what’s happening in our country, and it’s a shame.” 

Neither law enforcement nor local government representatives serving Springfield Ohio have observed any such behavior according to a report made by CBS News on September 11.