Rep. Clay Higgins Faces Backlash Over Racist Tweet Targeting Haitian Immigrants

LAKE CHARLES, LA – Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is under fire after posting—and swiftly deleting—a tweet that has been condemned as racist and inflammatory. In the tweet, Higgins referred to Haitian immigrants as “thugs,” repeating a debunked claim that Haitians in Springfield, Ohio, had been “eating their neighbors' pets” and described Haiti as “the nastiest country in the Western Hemisphere.” He further mocked the Haitian community, saying, “Lol. These Haitians are wild... vudu, cults, slapstick gangsters... but damned if they don’t feel all sophisticated now, filing charges against our President and VP.” He ended the tweet by warning, “All these thugs better get their mind right and their ass out of our country before January 20th”​. (Democracy Now!)​ (The New Republic).

The backlash was swift, with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) leading calls for a formal censure of the Republican congressman. Rep. Steven Horsford, Chair of the CBC, denounced Higgins’ comments as “not just dangerous, but un-American.” He added that such rhetoric "invites violence against immigrants and communities of color at a time when tensions are already high"​. (The New Republic).

Call for Censure and Community Response

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Louisiana also weighed in, condemning Higgins for promoting false and harmful stereotypes about Haitians. Alanah Odoms, Executive Director of the ACLU, stated, “Higgins’ racist remarks not only disparage an entire nation but put thousands of Haitian Louisianans at risk.” Odoms went on to note that Haiti’s contributions to Louisiana’s culture—through food, music, and architecture—are part of the state’s rich heritage. She warned that such statements, especially from a public official, could incite violence, referencing bomb threats against Haitian communities in Ohio after similar rumors spread​ (ACLU of Louisiana).

This isn't the first time Higgins has drawn attention for incendiary remarks. In 2020, during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests, Higgins threatened to shoot protesters in a Facebook post, although he faced no formal consequences at the time. However, this latest incident has spurred a stronger response, with calls for censure growing across party lines​ (ACLU of Louisiana).

Defending the Post

Despite deleting the tweet, Higgins has not issued an apology or backtracked on his sentiments. In a follow-up message, Higgins doubled down, calling his critics “hypersensitive” and claiming that his post was meant as “tough love” aimed at protecting American values. “I will never apologize for defending this country,” Higgins wrote, dismissing accusations of racism as part of a “woke agenda” targeting conservatives​ (The New Republic)​ (Democracy Now!).

What’s Next?

The House of Representatives is set to reconvene in November, and Democrats are pushing for a formal censure vote. While Higgins remains popular with his base in Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District, the national attention on this issue may place pressure on House Republicans to respond.

In the meantime, community leaders, including those from the Haitian-American community in Louisiana, are calling for action. “Haitians are part of Louisiana’s foundation. These remarks are not just offensive, they are dangerous,” said Jean-Claude Pierre, a business owner in New Orleans. “We won’t let this pass without a fight.”