They’re Eating Pet Dogs, Cats: Trump’s Immigrant Claim Fact-Checked During Debate, Harris Responds with a Sneer
During Tuesday’s presidential debate, former President Donald Trump made a startling claim, asserting that migrants in Springfield, Ohio, have been eating pets.
“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs and cats — the pets of the residents. This is what’s happening in our country,” Trump said. However, this statement directly contradicted Springfield’s city manager, who confirmed there is no factual basis for such accusations.
An ‘Extreme’ Claim
Moderator David Muir quickly pointed out the city manager’s denial, stating there was no evidence to back Trump’s assertion. In response, Trump referenced anecdotal reports he had seen on television, insisting that residents claimed their pets had been taken for food. Kamala Harris dismissed the comment as “extreme.” Earlier, Springfield officials confirmed to BBC Verify that no credible reports of such incidents existed.
Amid the back-and-forth, Harris stood firm, defending her immigration record while refuting Trump’s claims. She emphasized her time as California’s attorney general, where she took action against gangs involved in drug smuggling and human trafficking.
Border Crisis Debate
Harris also took aim at Trump for worsening the border crisis, accusing him of sabotaging a bipartisan Senate bill that sought stricter asylum standards and enhanced border security. She further criticized him for not delivering on his immigration reform promises, stating that Trump “talks the talk, but doesn’t walk the walk.”
In contrast, Trump vowed to launch the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history if re-elected. His plans included potential use of detention camps and the National Guard, along with the reinstatement of policies from his first term, like the Remain in Mexico program and Title 42, which limited migrant entry due to public health concerns.
Trump also proposed expanding the travel ban to additional countries and introducing “ideological screening” to block immigrants with extremist beliefs. He further called for an end to birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents.
