Republicans demand weekly updates on election interference after Springfield, Ohio bomb threat ‘hoax’

FIRST ON FOX:A group of Republicans wrote to the heads of the nation’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies on Friday asking for weekly updates on foreign election interference after a bomb threat in Springfield, Ohio, turned out to be a “hoax” originating from abroad.

Ten Republican members of the House of Representatives wrote to Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, FBI Director Chris Wray and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding to know which country was involved in 33 “false” bomb threats made to Springfield and what actions were being taken to combat social media campaigns, cyber espionage and threats of physical harm from foreign actors.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine revealed Monday that local law enforcement responded to 33 false bomb threats in Springfield targeting hospitals, schools and government offices.

“Thirty-three threats. Thirty-three hoaxes,” DeWine said at a news conference in Springfield. “I want to make that very, very clear. None of them had any merit.”

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The governor said many of the threats came from “one particular country,” which he declined to name.

“Unfortunately, we have people overseas who are taking these actions,” DeWine said. “Some of them are from one particular country.”

“The American people and Congress deserve to know which of our foreign adversaries are intentionally spreading disinformation to create fear and confusion. I stand ready to assist you in any way I can as we work to ensure the security and integrity of the 2024 election,” Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, wrote in the letter.

Springfield was thrust into the national spotlight after viral social media posts about Haitian migrants eating animals, claims that turned out to be unverifiable. Former President Trump amplified the unsubstantiated claim during a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris on Sept. 10.

“In Springfield, they eat dogs. People who come here eat cats. They eat — they eat the pets of people who live there,” he said.

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“These bomb threats prompted closures and evacuations of city buildings, as well as schools. This further burdened police and social services already overwhelmed by the influx of Haitian migrants into the community,” reads the letter, signed by Republican Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, Mike Carey of Ohio, Gooden and others.

“The purpose of these deceptions is clear: our foreign adversaries aim to fan the flames of division.”

But the Republican leadership of the city of 60,000 says it has been overwhelmed by an influx of 15,000 to 20,000 Haitian migrants, many of whom have come to the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status, which allows them to live and work in the U.S. for a limited time.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost told Fox News Digital that the federal government has not properly coordinated the resettlement of these migrants with the city and is therefore “straining schools, the health care system and the social safety net.” He said at least 4,000 migrants are receiving government assistance.

Russia and Iran have been accused of interfering in the U.S. election. Earlier this month, the Justice Department seized websites and charged Russian media workers, whom it accused the Kremlin of using to spread disinformation and sow discord.

“We think this is another opportunity to play games with the United States,” DeWine said of foreign actors who make threats. “And they continue to do so.”

“We cannot let the bad guys win. Our schools must remain open,” he added, noting that additional law enforcement resources would be deployed to Springfield amid the avalanche of threats.

“The people who are doing this are doing it to sow discord in our community,” said Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. “We simply cannot allow them to do this. We have to continue to provide the services that the citizens of Springfield and Clark County expect.”

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Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck said there are “no credible reports of specific claims of harm, injury, or abuse of pets by individuals in the immigrant community.”

City officials said Monday they had canceled the upcoming annual celebration of diversity, arts and culture due to an increase in threats.