Louisiana Rep. Clay Higgins on Thursday retracted comments he made about Haitian immigrants in a now-deleted social media post.

Higgins, a Republican, has received backlash in recent days for amplifying false claims about Haitians eating pets and calling them “thugs” in response to a report by the Associated Press. The news organization reported that the Haitian Bridge Alliance, a nonprofit group supporting Haitians, is seeking criminal charges against former President Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance.

“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,” Higgins wrote on his official account on X. “All these thugs better get their mind right and their asses out of our country before January 20th.”

Higgins told CNN that he did not regret his comments, stating “It’s all true” and “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.”

Higgins’ comments have been met with widespread condemnation, with the Congressional Black Caucus introducing a resolution to censure him and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling for his removal from a bipartisan task force investigating the assassination attempts against Trump. The House Speaker, Mike Johnson, defended Higgins, claiming that he regretted his comments and prayed about them before taking down the post. However, Higgins later told reporters that he intended his comments to be directed at Haitian gangs and that he “regretted the unintended impact” on other Haitians.

Backlash and Calls for Accountability

Higgins’ post sparked immediate outrage and calls for accountability from fellow lawmakers. Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford of Nevada, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, called for the House Committee on Ethics to investigate Higgins’ comments and pushed for the House to censure him. Horsford told CNN that he confronted Higgins on the floor of the House and demanded he delete the post, to which Higgins replied that he would pray about it. Horsford said he told Higgins, “If you refuse, I will take this to the floor. We will move for a resolution to censure you.”

Several other Democrats, including Rep. Glenn Ivey of Maryland and Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost of Florida, also condemned Higgins’ comments. Minority Leader Jeffries issued a statement calling Higgins’ comments “vile, racist and beneath the dignity of the House of Representatives.” Jeffries also called Higgins a “conspiracy-peddling racial arsonist.”

Higgins’ Defense and the Issue of Redemption

Despite the backlash and ultimately deciding to take down the post after he said he prayed on it, Higgins told CNN he stood by his demeaning comments. “It’s not a big deal to me. It’s like something stuck to the bottom of my boot. Just scrape it off and move on with my life,” Higgins said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, however, defended Higgins, claiming that the Congressman regretted his comments and prayed about them before taking down the post. “Look, he was approached on the floor by colleagues who said that was offensive. He went to the back – I just talked to him about it – he said he went to the back, and he prayed about it and he regretted it, and he pulled the post down,” Johnson said. “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.”

The False Narrative and Its Impact

Higgins’ comments are the latest in a series of attacks against Haitian immigrants, fueled by a false narrative spread by former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance. Trump and Vance have repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio are eating people’s pets. This false claim has led to threats against Haitian immigrants in Springfield, including bomb threats and school evacuations. The Haitian Bridge Alliance has filed charges against Trump and Vance under an Ohio law that allows private citizens to seek an arrest or prosecution by filing an affidavit with a prosecutor or judge.

The Haitian community in Springfield is largely comprised of migrants who are in the United States legally as part of a parole program. The false claims about them eating pets have created a climate of fear and danger for Haitian immigrants. The claims have been debunked by local politicians, including Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, and the Springfield Police Department, who told Newsweek on September 10 that there were “no credible reports” of migrants eating pets in the area. The Donald Trump supporter who filed the police report accusing Haitians of stealing her cat and eating it discovered her pet alive and well, hiding in her own basement.

Beyond the Words: The Implications of Higgins' Post

Higgins’ post reflects a disturbing pattern of racialized attacks against immigrants, particularly Haitians. It also underscores the power of misinformation and the role that elected officials play in shaping public opinion. Higgins’ comments, though ultimately retracted, have fueled fear and prejudice against Haitian immigrants. His defense, while invoking the concept of redemption, has also highlighted the potential for forgiveness without accountability. The incident raises critical questions about the role of elected officials in combating prejudice and misinformation, and the need for more robust mechanisms to hold them accountable for their actions.

A Call for Responsibility and Empathy

Higgins's post is a reminder that the words of elected officials carry significant weight. They have a responsibility to use their platform to promote understanding and unity, not to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and incite violence. It is imperative that our elected officials reject hate speech and misinformation and work to build a more inclusive and equitable society. The events of the past week offer a sobering reminder of the need for vigilance and action in confronting racism and discrimination. It is time to demand better from our leaders and hold them accountable for creating a more just and compassionate society for all.

Looking Ahead: Repercussions and a Call for Change

The fallout from Higgins’ post is ongoing, with calls for his censure, an ethics investigation, and even his removal from a bipartisan task force investigating the assassination attempts against Trump. It remains to be seen what, if any, repercussions Higgins will face. However, this incident has highlighted the need for more robust mechanisms to hold elected officials accountable for their actions. It also underscores the importance of combating misinformation and promoting understanding and empathy in our increasingly polarized society.

It is crucial that we continue to challenge hate speech and hold those in positions of power accountable for perpetuating harmful stereotypes. We must also work to foster a more inclusive and equitable society where all individuals feel safe and respected. By raising our voices and demanding accountability from our leaders, we can create a world where prejudice and discrimination are no longer tolerated.