Which fallacy occurs when an argument is diverted to an irrelevant issue, distracting from the original issue?

The red herring fallacy occurs when an argument is deliberately diverted to an irrelevant issue, leading the discussion away from the original topic at hand. This tactic shifts the focus from the main argument or issue, often creating confusion or obscuring the truth. It is used to distract the audience and can derail meaningful discussion by introducing unrelated concerns that seem relevant but ultimately detract from the points being made.

For example, during a debate about environmental policies, if one party begins discussing unrelated personal anecdotes or shifts the subject to unrelated historical events, that would represent a red herring. This tactic is particularly problematic in logical discourse, as it prevents the audience from engaging with the actual argument posed, rendering productive debate difficult.