Vice President Kamala Harris responded Tuesday to the news that public schools in Springfield, Ohio, had been closed in response to more than 30 bomb threats made to local authorities.
Harris was asked about the growing controversy in Springfield during a question-and-answer forum hosted by the National Association of Black Journalists in Philadelphia.
“It’s a disgrace. I mean, my heart breaks for this community,” she said, recalling that schools were closed on “school picture day.”
Harris remembers being in school as a child during “picture day” and being even more saddened that the event was disrupted.
“Do you remember what that was like?” Harris asked, demonstrating what it was like to get dolled up for a special occasion by swaying her shoulders. “Going to school the day of the picture? Dressed in their best, all set up, knowing the night before what they were going to wear?”
Vice President Kamala Harris condemns Donald Trump’s comment about migrants eating pets during event with National Association of Black Journalists
The controversy in Springfield arose after former President Donald Trump claimed during last week’s presidential debate that some migrants were eating “the dogs,” “cats” and “pets” in the community.
Trump was accused of making “baseless” allegations after his claims went viral on social media, while his supporters portrayed him as a champion of protecting their pets by sharing cat memes generated by AI.
Harris blamed Trump for the bomb threats, even though Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine described them as not credible and mostly coming from abroad.
“They had to be evacuated. Children. Children,” she wailed. “A whole community in fear.”
DeWine sent extra police to the schools to protect the public schools in the community.
“We know people are very, very concerned,” DeWine said. “But we’ve moved resources to Springfield. People have a right to feel safe and be safe.”
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) speaks at a press conference at Springfield City Hall
Alimemby Estimable, 19, talks about his Haitian heritage in Springfield, Ohio, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.
Harris stressed that public officials like Trump and his running mate JD Vance must be aware of the power of their words and the impact they would have on communities.
“When you are given such a large microphone, it comes with a great responsibility,” she said, referring to the “public trust” of a president to be accountable for the way he speaks.
She criticized Trump for using age-old clichés to describe immigrants in an attempt to “divide” the United States.
“This is not new,” she said. “This is not new in terms of these tropes.”
Harris said she believed Americans saw through Trump’s divisive efforts and would no longer tolerate them.
“Let’s turn the page and chart a new path forward and say you can’t have that microphone anymore,” she said.