Official House of Representatives records and announcements

Rep. Clay Higgins Faces Backlash for Deleted Racist Tweet About Haitian Immigrants, January 20 Deadline

Sep 25, 2024, 09:59 PM

Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) has come under intense scrutiny and backlash for a tweet that contained racist and xenophobic remarks about Haitian immigrants. In the now-deleted post, Higgins referred to Haiti as the 'nastiest country in the western hemisphere' and described Haitians as 'wild,' 'vudu'-practicing 'thugs.' The tweet also falsely claimed that Haitian migrants are 'eating pets.' The post was widely condemned by fellow lawmakers, including Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who advised Higgins to take it down, and Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV), who pushed for a censure resolution. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Higgins, stating he 'prayed about it' and regretted the post. Despite deleting the tweet, Higgins stood by his comments in subsequent statements. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about racism and xenophobia within the Republican Party, with many calling for Higgins to be held accountable. The tweet also targeted legal immigrants and referenced a January 20 deadline for them to leave the country. The tweet also mentioned Trump and Vance's lies.