Rep. Clay Higgins, a Republican from Louisiana, created controversy with a social media post on Wednesday, referring to Haiti as the “nastiest country in the western hemisphere” and suggesting that Haitian migrants, most of whom are in the U.S. legally, should “get their ass out of our country.”
Higgins’ remarks came in response to an Associated Press article detailing a Haitian nonprofit group’s legal actions against former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance, following their unfounded claims about migrants in Springfield, Ohio. Among these claims was a statement made by Trump during a presidential debate, alleging that migrants were “eating the dogs” and “eating the cats.”
In his now-deleted post on X, Higgins reiterated the debunked comments about pets and listed various negative stereotypes about Haitians. He concluded his post by warning that migrants should leave before Trump and Vance’s potential inauguration on January 20 if they win the upcoming election.
Subodh Chandra, an attorney for the Haitian Bridge Alliance, condemned Higgins’ post as a blatant threat and criticized the lack of accountability from the House of Representatives, suggesting that under a responsible leadership, such conduct would prompt an investigation and possibly disciplinary action.
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Higgins, describing him as a close friend who is candid and outspoken. He mentioned having discussed the post with Higgins, who expressed regret and subsequently deleted it.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries denounced Higgins’ comments as “vile, racist and beneath the dignity of the United States House of Representatives,” calling for accountability for such conduct.
Representative Steve Horsford moved to censure Higgins on the House floor, claiming that his words incite hate and fear. However, the motion was deemed out of order. Horsford remarked that Higgins showed no remorse for his rhetoric, which he argued contributes to a sense of fear among community members.
The majority of Haitian migrants in Springfield are legally protected under temporary protected status granted by the Department of Homeland Security, a protection that Trump and Vance have pledged to abolish should they regain office.
Higgins, a strong supporter of Trump, has previously made headlines for his incendiary comments and actions, including advocating for extreme measures against suspected terrorists.