Boogeyman tactics

"Boogeyman Tactics: A rhetorical strategy where someone tries to distract from the real issue by creating or exaggerating a threat that doesn't actually exist. Instead of addressing the actual argument, they shift focus to a made-up or overblown danger—like a modern-day 'boogeyman'—to manipulate others into fear or compliance. It's a form of red herring meant to derail the conversation and avoid dealing with the real problem."

Person A: "We really need to start reducing our carbon footprint at home. The evidence on climate change is overwhelming, and we should be doing our part to help."

Person B: "I don't think that's the real issue. What we should really be worried about is how immigration is out of control. More people coming into the country means more strain on our resources and more pollution. We should focus on that instead."

In this example, Person B is using Boogeyman Tactics by shifting the conversation from climate change to immigration, a different issue altogether. This is a red herring intended to derail the discussion about reducing their carbon footprint, by bringing up an unrelated and exaggerated threat of increased pollution due to immigration.