Court Declines to Issue Criminal Warrant for Trump, Vance Over Dogs and Cats Claim

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

It appears the effort to have former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), criminally charged for repeating rumors about Haitian migrants has failed miserably. 

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A panel of three judges in Ohio decided against issuing arrest warrants for Trump and Vance after a Soros-funded group called Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) accused them of inciting bomb threats against members of the community in Springfield. The allegations centered on claims made by both men that Haitian immigrants reportedly were eating cats and dogs belonging to residents.

Guerline Jozef, cofounder and executive director of the San Diego-based Haitian Bridge Alliance, used an Ohio law that allows private citizens to file criminal charges. She filed her first affidavit against the Republicans on Sept. 24, accusing the pair of nine criminal violations, both felonies and misdemeanors.

Jozef’s affidavit came after Vance claimed that the Haitians illegally moved to Springfield and were eating residents’ dogs, cats and wild geese.

Trump followed up by airing the unsubstantiated rumors during his debate against Kamala Harris.

Instead of issuing the warrants, the panel referred the matter to Clark County Prosecutor Daniel Driscoll for further consideration. If he has any sense, he will respond to the allegations with an eye roll and continue about his business.

The Haitians in question are residing in the United States under temporary protected status. Gov. Mike DeWine (R) and other officials stated that there is no evidence that these individuals are eating people’s pets.

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The issue gained nationwide controversy amid ongoing debates over immigration policy and the border crisis. Several reports indicated that 33 bomb threats were called into schools and other facilities.


Related: Press Narrative Melts After Truth About 'Bomb Threats' in Springfield Comes Out


Racist hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan took the opportunity to distribute flyers, calling on white residents to fight against immigration.

HBA’s complaint alleged that Trump and Vance had a “direct impact” in inspiring the bomb threats. “Like those who falsely shout ‘fire!’ in a crowded theater, Trump and Vance do not color within the lines of the First Amendment,” the group argued. “They commit criminal acts.”

Regardless of the veracity of the cats and dogs claim, HBA’s actions were nothing more than political grandstanding. There is absolutely no way these people actually believed they could bring about criminal charges against two politicians for spreading a rumor. In fact, this activity is protected by the First Amendment.

But there is more to this organization than meets the eye. They are not a run-of-the-mill immigrant advocacy group. They are funded by George Soros’ Open Society Foundation. The organization shelled out $50,000 to HBA in 2020 and $500,000 in 2021, according to its website.

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In a statement, the foundation announced its donations to various organizations created to assist Haitian immigrants. It explained that the funding “will help provide legal services to Haitian asylum seekers arriving at the southwest border and support advocacy to protect their rights” and will “enable Black-led organizations to champion more broadly the humane treatment of all Black immigrants seeking safety and stability in the United States.”

This was nothing more than a political ploy aimed at getting attention, from where I sit. It was destined to fail, as it should be.

Now then, check out Donald Trump’s smash hit titled “Eat The Cat.”

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