Republican Rep. Clay Higgins is facing widespread backlash over a now-deleted post in which he disparaged Haitians and called the country the "nastiest in the Western Hemisphere."
The lawmaker published the post on X on Wednesday, apparently reacting to a formal criminal complaint from a Haitian immigrant group in Springfield, Ohio, against Donald Trump and JD Vance for their perpetuation of false rumors about members of the community eating local pets.
The Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) filed the complaint at the Clark County Municipal Court, noting that such rumors led to 33 bomb threats in the city. "Like those who falsely shout 'fire!' in a crowded theater, Trump and Vance do not color within the lines of the First Amendment. They commit criminal acts," the HBA said.
HBA Executive Director Guerline Jozef filed the complaint, saying that "thirty-three bomb threats have been alleged across Springfield within the last two weeks. Hospitals, schools, universities, and government offices were all evacuated after receiving racially charged threats." She added that local officials and their families have also been threatened.
Higgins, in turn, said "Lol. These Haitians are wild." "Eating pets, vudu, nastiest country in the western hemisphere, cults, slapstick gangsters... but damned if they don't feel all sophisticated now, filing charges against our President and VP. All these thugs better get their mind right and their a-- out of our country before January 20th."
Higgins, who deleted the post during the day, was confronted by several lawmakers on the House Floor, according to POLITICO. Among them was Republican Rep. Byron Donalds, from Florida, who said he had a conversation with Higgins and urged him to take the post down.
Higgins was later defended by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who called him a dear friend and a "very frank and outspoken person, but also a very principled man."
Johnson added that after being approached by colleagues Higgins "prayed about it, regretted it and pulled the post down." "That's what you want the gentleman to do. I'm sure he probably regrets some of the language he used. But you know, we move forward. We believe in redemption around here."
However, he then stood by the post, telling CNN "I can put up another controversial post tomorrow if you want me to. I mean, we do have freedom of speech. I'll say what I want."
In response, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Steven Horsford from Nevada introduced a privileged resolution to censure Higgins, claiming the post was inciting "hate and fear." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also condemned Higgins, saying that "the disgusting statement" is "vile, racist and beneath the dignity of the United States House of Representatives." "He must be held accountable for dishonorable conduct that is unbecoming of a Member of Congress."
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