Louisiana Lawmaker Reportedly Prayed Before Retracting ‘Disgusting’ Racist Comments About Haitians, But People Note He Never Actually Apologized

A Louisiana lawmaker who recanted some derogatory comments he made on social media about Haitian immigrants after being pressured by several members of Congress continues to face criticism online.

U.S. House Representative Clay Higgins posted the comments on his official samples and ate.

Louisiana lawmaker calls Haitians villains — U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) is facing massive backlash for racist comments against Haitian immigrants. (Credit: Getty Images)

Haitians in Springfield were subsequently targeted with threats of violence, including more than thirty bomb threats, forcing the evacuation of schools and government buildings.

The Haitian Bridge Alliance filed criminal charges against Trump and Vance following the local dispute that followed, prompting a response from Higgins.

Higgins not only echoed the former president’s comments in some comments he posted Wednesday, but he also called Haitians “thugs” and “gangsters” who should leave the US.

“Lol. These Haitians are wild. Pet eating, vudu, dirtiest country in the Western Hemisphere, cults, slapstick gangsters…but damn if they don’t all feel sophisticated right now, filing charges against our President and Vice President” , Higgins wrote in his now-deleted post. “All these criminals better get their minds right and leave their country before January 20th.”

After being questioned by CNN reporters, he showed no remorse and doubled down on his comments.

“It’s all true,” Higgins said Wednesday. “I can make another controversial post tomorrow if you want. I mean, we do have freedom of speech. I will say what I want.”

His comments sparked fiery tensions in the chambers of Congress as black lawmakers strongly condemned his remarks and called for censure.

“America is a nation of immigrants where all are welcome,” the Congressional Black Caucus statement read in part. “Every member of Congress must be clear that we must eliminate hate in all its forms. It is time to turn the page on this pattern of denigrating and vilifying immigrants for political gain.”

Only after Higgins was confronted by some members of Congress did he delete his post and retract his comments. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) stated that Higgins “regrets some of the language he used” and called him a “frank and outspoken person” and “a very principled man ‘.

“You never want to intentionally hurt anyone’s feelings, and that post was for Haitian gangs, you know? I mean, Haiti is a country, not a color,” Higgins told reporters Thursday.

“The unintended impact expressed in a very sincere manner by one of my colleagues, which touched me as a gentleman,” he added.

Many Several people called on the congressman to issue a proper apology.

“It was racist, xenophobic and disgusting,” one person said of Higgins’ social post. “When other people apologize on your behalf, it shows that not only was what you said terrible, but that you don’t regret saying it.”

Oh, it’s that easy? You can lie and say whatever you want as long as you pray afterwards?

Now I know why so many Republicans pretend to be Christians.

— Stefan 🥼 (@StefanK1117) September 25, 2024

“He doesn’t know how to behave and owes everyone, and I mean everyone, an apology,” someone else wrote.

“Oh, it’s that easy? You can lie and say whatever you want as long as you pray afterwards? Now I know why so many Republicans pretend to be Christians,” wrote another.

Another joked: “@MikeJohnson So you and @RepClayHiggins may like each other but I prayed about it and Jesus told me He thinks you’re both a bunch of racist jerks and He’s disgusted by you both. His words… not mine. Amen.”

Higgins represents Louisiana’s Third District in the House of Representatives, which covers much of the southwestern part of the state. He was first elected in 2016 and is widely known as one of the most conservative members of Congress and a Trump supporter.

Shortly before running for Congress, he resigned as a captain at the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office after appearing in a viral video in which he called a group of mostly black gang members “animals,” “thugs” and “heathens” . ”

During his time with the sheriff’s office, Higgins was a public information officer. His appearance in Crime Stoppers videos earned him internet fame and made him a local favorite among residents of his jurisdiction.

Many online referred to him as the “Cajun John Wayne.” He even started a personal business selling merchandise such as mugs and T-shirts using his department badge and uniform, which Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said was against department policy.

Before working for St. Landry, Higgins served as a patrol officer with the Opelousas Police Department beginning in 2004. He resigned in 2007 after allegedly assaulting an unarmed black man and then falsifying statements on police documents about the incident, saying he had been assaulted. First. He resigned rather than face disciplinary action and later called the police investigator to apologize.