Republican Mayor Rob Rue said the powers would help address “unrest, cyber threats, and potential acts of violence”
In a proclamation released on Thursday, Rue cited the continued threat of violence stemming from racist rhetoric repeated by presidential candidate Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance. The order suspended typical purchasing and contracting procedures to “enable departments to respond more efficiently to emerging risks, including civil unrest, cyber threats, and potential acts of violence.”
The Republican mayor has been vocal in rejecting GOP smears claiming that recent Haitian migrants in Springfield were eating local pets. Trump has promised a visit to the town beset by bomb threats in recent days, though Rue told reporters earlier this week that a visit from Trump could strain the city even further.
Trump has dismissed threats that followed his presidential debate claims that residents were “eating the cats.” Vance, who shared the rumors of pet-eating before Trump took them to primetime, admitted the story was a fabrication. Still, Rue says the stories the Trump campaign tells could pose very real risks.