Police chief denies Trump’s claim that migrant gang has seized power

Local news anchor in Colorado Kyle Clark the former president said on Monday Donald Trump an ongoing, widely debunked claim that a migrant gang has taken over parts of Aurora, one of the state’s largest cities.

“Republicans who lead Aurora still disagree on whether a Venezuelan gang is now in control of housing projects in this city, while Donald Trump continues his attacks on Aurora at a racist and bigoted campaign rally in Madison Square Garden last night,” Clark began on his 9News program.

Republican Mayor of Aurora Mike Coffman told 9News: “The big question is: is there a problem now? And I don’t believe there is. We really had a problem. There is no doubt that there was a problem, but law enforcement responded to this problem. And I think there are those who would like to say we have a problem and maintain that story throughout the election.”

Clark then played a clip featuring Aurora’s new police chief. Todd Chamberlain saying: “This city is not captured by the TDA (Tren de Aragua). This city is not controlled by the TDA. I’m going to stand in front of you right now and tell you that this is an incredibly false story. This is a narrative that is not confirmed or supported by any statistics, any data, any information.”

Clark added: “Woman advisor Daniel Jurinski, who spoke at a Trump immigration rally in Aurora this month, said at least two apartments were still under gang control as of this morning. This contradicts Yurinsky’s previous statements that gangs left the sites due to police and media attention.” Jurinsky, a Trump ally, has become a regular on Fox News to promote her claims.

“A city spokesman said today that Aurora police are aware of periodic crime there, but cannot substantiate your claim that a gang is currently in control of these buildings. Trump falsely claimed that a mob had taken over Aurora at a rally where speakers disparaged Latinos, blacks, Jews and Palestinians. Trump said last night that he would release Aurora,” Clark continued.

Clark then played a clip of Trump from Sunday night in New York and said: “One of the deadliest and most violent gangs of migrants that Kamala has imported into our country is the savage Venezuelan prison gang. Name is Tren de Aragua. And that means taking over apartment complexes and unleashing brutal murders across America, especially in Aurora, Colorado, where we have a governor who is afraid of them. And maybe he should be.”

NBC News took a deep dive into how the now-debunked claims spread throughout the community, social media and, ultimately, the GOP presidential candidate.

“Viral rumors used tactics from “the most common forms of disinformation,” such as reposting old videos without context, distorting existing data, and “Frankensteining” together misleading pieces of evidence to fabricate a false narrative, according to the News Literacy Project, a nonprofit organization . fact-checking organization that debunked the rumors,” NBC said in a statement.

The debunked claims that a migrant gang has taken over apartment buildings in Colorado are similar to claims made by Trump during the debate that Haitian migrants in Ohio were eating pets, which community leaders also called unfounded.

Watch the clip above.

Any advice for us? [email protected]