Washington, CNN — Tensions flared in the House of Representatives on Wednesday as House Democrats moved to reprimand Republican Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana over a since-deleted social media post in which he referred to Haitian migrants as “thugs” and “slapstick gangsters.” He further asserted that they needed to “get their a** out of our country.”
Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford of Nevada, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, called for an investigation by the House Committee on Ethics and urged the House to censure Higgins for his remarks, marking a significant rebuke for a sitting member of Congress. Despite the backlash, Higgins expressed to CNN that he stood by his statements without remorse.
While overseeing the House floor, GOP Rep. Jay Obernolte of California informed Horsford that the matter couldn’t be addressed immediately since the House had completed its voting for the month.
Prior to the floor exchange, Horsford confronted Higgins directly, leading to a heated discussion. He told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that he urged Higgins to remove the post, to which Higgins replied he would “pray about it.” Horsford then warned Higgins that if he refused, he would bring the issue to the floor for a resolution to censure him.
Despite deleting the post after his moment of reflection, Higgins reiterated his stance during an interview. “It’s all true,” he said, adding, “I can put up another controversial post tomorrow if you want me to. We do have freedom of speech.” He dismissed the backlash, likening it to something “stuck to the bottom of my boot.”
Horsford, speaking on “AC360,” emphasized the importance of holding Higgins accountable for what he labeled “divisive, racially charged, hateful rhetoric.” He stressed that the issue transcends politics, saying, “Today, it’s the Haitians. Who will it be tomorrow? Will it be you?”
Higgins’ comments come amid a backdrop of false claims regarding Haitian immigrants, which have been perpetuated by various Republican figures, including former President Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance. The Haitian migrants in question are primarily in the U.S. legally, having entered under a parole program that allows citizens and lawful residents to sponsor family members from Haiti.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed dismay over Higgins’ statements, calling them “disgusting and dangerous.” He questioned Higgins’ position on the bipartisan task force investigating assassination attempts against Trump, urging House Republican leadership to reassess Higgins’ involvement given the seriousness of the task force’s work.
Democratic Rep. Glenn Ivey of Maryland, also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, described Higgins’ comments as “shocking,” reflecting the sentiments of many in the chamber.
In a conflicting narrative, House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested that Higgins did express regret over his comments after discussions with colleagues. “He said he went to the back, prayed about it, and regretted it,” Johnson stated. “That’s what you want the gentleman to do. We believe in redemption around here.”
