Rep. Clay Higgins faced significant backlash after he posted a racially charged message about Haitians on social media, prompting calls from his congressional colleagues for censure. The controversial remarks, made through his official account on the platform X, described Haitians in derogatory terms, labeling the country as “wild” and associating it with negative stereotypes, including references to “eating pets” and “vudu.”
Higgins’ post was a reaction to a news story about a Haitian group filing charges against former President Donald Trump and Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance, based on false claims made about migrants in Springfield, Ohio.
After receiving swift criticism from several lawmakers on the House floor, including Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Higgins deleted the post within a couple of hours.
Donalds expressed his disapproval of Higgins’ statement and discussed its implications, leading to the decision to take it down, which he viewed as a commendable action by Higgins. The incident highlights the tensions within Congress regarding race and representation, particularly among Republican members.
Rep. Clay Higgins Faces Backlash and Censure Calls After Racially Charged Remarks About Haitians
The fallout from Higgins’ remarks continued, with Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, also confronting him about the post. Following their discussion, Horsford addressed the House, condemning Higgins’ language as inciting hate and fear.
He called for an investigation by the House Ethics Committee and urged for formal reprimand against Higgins, emphasizing that such statements undermine the integrity of the House.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries labeled Higgins’ comments as “disgusting and dangerous,” reflecting a broader concern among lawmakers about the implications of racially insensitive rhetoric.
While some Republican leaders acknowledged the inappropriate nature of Higgins’ comments, they praised his quick action to remove the post. Speaker Mike Johnson suggested that Higgins regretted the language used and indicated a desire to move forward from the incident.
Higgins, known for his conservative views and previous controversial statements, had faced criticism before for his social media activity. His earlier posts included calls for the use of force against armed protesters, which led to Facebook removing one of his posts for incitement. This recent incident underscores the ongoing challenges in addressing issues of race and accountability within political discourse in Congress.
