Congressman Higgins Deletes Controversial Post Amid Backlash

Clay Higgins, a Republican Congressman from Louisiana, deleted a post on social media platform X on Wednesday after it drew widespread condemnation from his colleagues in Congress. The post referred to Haitian immigrants using derogatory terms such as “thugs” and “slapstick gangsters.” These comments were made in the context of ongoing discussions about migrants and come amidst unproven claims made by Republican figures about immigrants in Springfield, Ohio.

The post was removed hours after publication, but not before it attracted criticism from fellow lawmakers, who confronted Higgins on the House floor. Calls for the House Ethics Committee to investigate and formally reprimand Higgins have been made by several members of Congress.

In a statement, Democratic Congressman Troy Carter from Louisiana condemned the post, stating that it “incites division, perpetuates harmful stereotypes, and undermines the core values of our democracy,” as reported by a USA TODAY Network publication. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York also criticized Higgins’ remarks, deeming them “disgusting” and “beneath the dignity of the House of Representatives.”

The controversy centers around a false claim promoted by former President Donald Trump and his vice-presidential nominee, Senator JD Vance. They alleged without evidence that migrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating pets. Local law enforcement in Springfield has debunked these assertions.

A Haitian nonprofit organization has responded by attempting to file charges, using a legal process that permits private citizens to request a prosecution or arrest by submitting an affidavit for judicial review. In a further development, Trump expressed intentions to implement “large mass deportations” from Springfield, Ohio, if he regains the presidency. The city has seen an influx of approximately 15,000 Haitian immigrants in recent years due to ongoing unrest in Haiti.

Higgins, when asked to defend his post, maintained his stance, citing freedom of speech and expressing willingness to continue voicing similar opinions. “It’s all true,” he declared to CNN. Despite removing his post after “praying on it,” his comments have ignited further discussions about the responsibility of elected officials to uphold respectful discourse.