Former President Donald Trump elevated claims of migrants in an Ohio town eating dogs and cats to the national stage Tuesday, saying it was more evidence of the chaos from President Biden’s border management.
“They’re eating the pets of the people that live,” Mr. Trump said, citing the account of people he said were interviewed on television.
David Muir, one of the moderators from ABC, the host of the first debate between Mr. Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, stepped in to dispute that claim, saying the city manager in Springfield, Ohio, has rejected the claims.
Mr. Trump countered by saying people had recounted the pet eating in interviews.
Ms. Harris said Mr. Trump’s comments were “extreme.”
Mr. Trump’s campaign issued a press release in the middle of the debate pointing to a story by The Federalist, a right-leaning website, that reported on a police call made reporting migrants carrying geese.
The exchange was part of an attempt by ABC to ask the candidates about immigration policy.
The first question was aimed at Ms. Harris, who was asked how she differed with Mr. Biden on the issue. She instead complained about Mr. Trump’s political rallies.
“People start leaving his rallies early, out of exhaustion and boredom,” she said.
That irked Mr. Trump, who said people don’t leave his rallies and said nobody goes to Ms. Harris’ rallies.
While ABC quickly moved past immigration, Mr. Trump repeatedly turned back to the issue. At one point he challenged Ms. Harris to leave the debate hall and go down to Washington and get Mr. Biden to sign a directive shutting down the border.
“All he has to do is say it to the Border Patrol,” Mr. Trump said. “If they do that, the border is closed.”
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.