In a surprising twist, Jamie McGregor, a long-time supporter of Donald Trump, has found himself facing a barrage of death threats.
The source of the outrage? His praise for his Haitian employees who consistently show up for work on time.
A Shift in Perspective
Jamie McGregor, 48, is the CEO of McGreggor Metal Co. in Springfield, Ohio, and has been a lifelong Republican, voting for Trump twice.
However, after publicly commending his Haitian workers—who make up about 10% of his 330-strong workforce—he has been met with severe backlash.
This comes on the heels of Trump’s controversial comments, where he inaccurately accused Haitians in Springfield of eating pets.
Taking Precautions
The threats against McGregor have escalated to the point where he felt compelled to buy a gun for protection.
He shared with the New York Times that he is now taking his family to shooting ranges as they prepare for possible violence.
“I’ve struggled with the fact that now we’re going to have firearms in our house,” he confessed.
“We’re being fitted for handguns and taking classes.”
A Businessman Under Siege
Running a company that manufactures parts for cars, trucks, and tractors, McGregor began hiring Haitians who had settled in his town.
After expressing admiration for their strong work ethic, he has been branded a traitor.
Posters labeling him as such have been displayed throughout Springfield, with threats directed not just at him, but also at his family and business.
One particularly chilling voicemail said, “The owner of McGregor Metal can take a bullet to the skull and that would be 100 percent justified.”
Another threatened his workers, stating, “Stack all 20,000 Haitians inside Jamie McGregor’s factory at once and force him to praise the benefits of foreign labor.”
Family Impact
The backlash has not only affected McGregor but also his loved ones.
His mother, aged 80, and his children have received frightening phone calls simply because he chose to advocate for his Haitian employees.
“They come to work every day. They don’t cause drama. They’re on time,” he explained, emphasizing their dedication to their jobs.
An Apology and Reconciliation
Realizing the tension his comments had caused, McGregor organized emergency meetings at all three of his facilities to apologize to his staff and clarify his intentions.
He expressed that he was “deeply sorry” if he had offended anyone and reiterated that their goal was to focus on production, not engage in political debates.
Seeking Safety
As the threats intensified, the FBI paid a visit to McGreggor Metal on September 12, advising him to implement strict safety protocols.
Security experts recommended various precautions for the family, including changing their daily routes, minimizing their digital footprints, and being cautious with mail handling.
A Changed Outlook
Although the intensity of the threats has lessened in recent days, McGregor admits that life has changed significantly for him and his family.
“You know, things are just different now,” he stated, revealing that he no longer plans to support Trump in future elections.
As he navigates this precarious situation, McGregor reflects on the unexpected fallout from simply voicing support for his workers.
What lies ahead for him and his family remains uncertain.