Former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Thursday called for the return of the “culture of the rule of law” after hearing allegations of a machete-wielding migrant chasing a Springfield, Ohio girl.

The comment came during a Springfield town hall event when an attendee her daughter was the victim of the alleged incident at a local Walmart. She accused local police of ignoring the matter when it was reported.

Ramaswamy claimed the incident is indicative of a flawed approach to immigration in the U.S.

“When your first act of entering the country breaks the law, you’re more likely to break the law while you’re already here,” he said. “I think we have to restore the culture of the rule of law in this country.”

When they see the top law enforcement in the United States of America themselves not following the law, then they rightly ask the question ‘then why the heck should I have to follow the law anyway?’” he added.

Springfield police did not respond when asked to comment on the alleged incident.

Ramaswamy, who is neither in office nor currently running, also a potential run for Ohio governor during that town hall.

“I’m a little more inclined than I was about 10 seconds ago,” he told the crowd after an attendee posed the question.

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In July, Ramaswamy weighed the possibility of filling the U.S. Senate seat of Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, in the event he is elected vice president in November.

“To be frank, I would strongly consider it if I were asked to serve, but I would also want to have a serious conversation with President Trump about the other ways that I could have an impact on the country,” Ramaswamy said.

If Trump were to be elected in November, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine would be allowed to appoint an interim senator in Sen. Vance’s place until the state could hold a special election. Ramaswamy said in July the governor had not reached out to him to discuss such a situation.

Jackson Walker on X at @_jlwalker_ for the latest trending national news. Have a news tip? Send it to jacwalker@sbgtv.com.