Harris calls Trump's remarks about Haitian immigrants in Springfield a 'crying shame'

Vice President Harris denounced the baseless claims that former President Trump has made about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, saying it was a “crying shame” that the community has seen daily life interrupted by bomb threats in the wake of Trump’s remarks.

Speaking Tuesday in a panel interview with the National Association of Black Journalists, Harris said that the debunked claims elevated by Trump during last week’s presidential debate were an example of why the GOP nominee should not be trusted with the highest office in the land. During the debate, Trump said Haitian immigrants in Springfield were stealing their neighbors’ cats and dogs and eating them — a claim that city and state leaders have said are untrue.

“It’s a crying shame — I mean, my heart breaks for this community,” Harris told the panel. She said Trump’s remarks were lies rooted in racist tropes, and in some of her most forceful language about the remarks since the debate, insisted it “has to stop.”

“When you are bestowed with a microphone that is that big, there is a profound responsibility that comes with that,” Harris said. While addressing Trump’s comments, Harris recounted seeing images of elementary school children dressed up for picture day having to leave their schools in Springfield because of the threats.

Harris sought to connect Trump’s rhetoric to the conversation around political violence that has taken on new urgency in the wake of the apparent assassination attempt against the former president on Sunday. Harris said she has confidence in the Secret Service protection that she is provided, but then stressed that many Americans feel particularly vulnerable in the current political environment.

“Not everybody has Secret Service, and