In a now-deleted social media post, Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana referred to Haiti as the “nastiest country in the western hemisphere” and called for Haitian migrants in the U.S. to leave the country. His post came in response to a Haitian nonprofit filing charges against former President Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance for baseless claims about migrants. The post amplified debunked claims about Haitians eating pets and practicing voodoo.
The attorney representing the nonprofit said Higgins’ post was not a dog-whistle but a clear threat, calling for investigation and censure by the House Ethics Committee. Rep. Steve Horsford moved to censure Higgins for inciting hate and fear, but the motion was found to be out of order. Majority Leader Steve Scalise objected to the motion.
Higgins is known for using heated rhetoric, including advocating for killing suspected Islamic terrorists and physically removing an activist from a news conference. He has been a staunch ally of Trump and has made controversial statements in the past.
The majority of Haitians in the U.S., including those in Springfield, are legally in the country under temporary protected status. Trump and Vance have promised to end this protection if elected, with Vance stating he would still refer to them as “illegal aliens” even if their status changed. Higgins’ inflammatory comments have sparked backlash and calls for accountability.
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