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Springfield Ohio sheriff’s lieutenant says he won’t protect Democrats
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Springfield Ohio sheriff’s lieutenant says he won’t protect Democrats

In a slew of social media posts, a veteran Ohio sheriff’s lieutenant said he would not protect those who voted for Vice President Kamala Harris — or those who identified as Democrats.

Lt. John Rodgers, a 20-year veteran of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, posted on Facebook that he would not provide assistance to those who identify as Democrats, according to reporting from WHIO-TV.

The county in question has been a hotbed of right-wing conspiracies in recent months, rocked by former President Donald Trump’s false claims that Haitian immigrants are eating people’s dogs and cats in Springfield, the county seat.

Bomb threats have repeatedly closed local schools and the city canceled its September cultural celebration amid the conspiratorial campaign against Springfield’s immigrant community.

All of this has led to a loss of confidence in local institutions, which took another hit after Rogers declared that he would fail to fulfill his duties if he helped a voter who identified as a Democrat.

“I’m sorry. If you support the Democratic Party, I won’t help you,” he reportedly wrote on Facebook.

“The problem is I know which of you supports the Democratic Party and I will not help you survive the end of days,” he added.

Rogers’ messages stated that those needing help had to prove who they voted for before receiving help.

The sheriff’s office immediately distanced itself from the sentiment when confronted by WHIO, but wrote in a statement that Rodgers would receive a written reprimand and remain employed.

“It is clear that while these comments are highly inappropriate, they in no way reflect the Clark County Sheriff’s Office’s service to our entire community and do not reflect the mission and values ​​of the Sheriff’s Office,” the department said. “The community has a right to be angry about the actions of Lt. Rodgers and he, as well as the Sheriff’s Office at large, will have to work even harder to restore the trust of members of our community.”

According to WHIO, which obtained an “investigative file” and communications within the office, Rodgers said he was prescribed sleeping pills and that his “out of character” actions were a “documented adverse event.”

The department told the outlet that they apologize for his behavior and that Rodgers “has been issued a written reprimand for a violation of the department’s social media policy and will remain employed.”