An Ohio sheriff’s lieutenant will remain on duty after he “received a written reprimand for a violation of the department’s social media policy” for saying he wouldn’t help citizens who support Vice President Kamala Harris or the Democratic Party.
Per WHIO-TV, Lt. John Rodgers, who is with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, posted those comments on Facebook. The county Rodgers is serving has been a spot for the propagation of right-wing conspiracies because of immigrants residing there.
As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, former President Donald Trump stoked tensions during the September 10 presidential debate by re-echoing an unsubstantiated claim regarding Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio abducting and eating household pets. His running mate, JD Vance, as well as conservatives and the right-wing media, have similarly spread that false claim.
The city has since been left unsettled by the false claims. Besides state and local government buildings, schools in the city were targeted with bomb threats, resulting in those places being evacuated and closed. Security has since been beefed up while cameras have also been installed.
“I am sorry. If you support the Democrat Party I will not help you,” Rodgers, who has served the Clark County Sheriff’s Office for more than 20 years, is said to have posted on Facebook. “The problem is that I know which of you supports the Democratic Party and I will not help you survive the end of days,” the sheriff’s lieutenant added.
That wasn’t all. Rodgers also said he would only help citizens after they showed proof of who they cast their ballots for. And though the sheriff’s office registered its displeasure over Rodgers’ comments, it said he would remain on duty after he’s sent a written reprimand.
“It is understood that while these comments are highly inappropriate, they in no means reflect the Clark County Sheriff’s Office delivery of service to ALL our community and does not reflect the mission and values of the Sheriff’s Office,” the department said.
“The community has a right to be upset over the actions of Lt. Rodgers and he, as well as the Sheriff’s Office in general, will have to work even harder to replenish the trust of members of our community.”
Upon request, the sheriff’s office sent WHIO an “investigative file” and communications into the incident. Rodgers in the correspondence claimed he was taking prescribed sleep aids, adding that his “out of character” was a “documented side effect.”
