A Louisiana lawmaker allegedly prayed before retracting “disgusting” racist comments about Haitians, but people note he never actually apologized

A Louisiana lawmaker who, under pressure from several members of Congress, retracted some offensive comments he made on social media about Haitian immigrants continues to face backlash online.

U.S. House Representative Clay Higgins posted comments on his official X account following false and inflammatory remarks Donald Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance made about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, claiming they were stealing and eating their pets neighbors.

Then, Haitians in Springfield were threatened with violence, including: over 30 bomb threatswhich forced the evacuation of colleges and government buildings.

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

Higgins not only cited the previous president’s remarks in a few of Wednesday’s comments, but also called Haitians “thugs” and “gangsters” who must leave the U.S.

“A lot of laughs. These Haitians are wild. Eating pets, vudu, the nastiest country in the Western Hemisphere, cults, slapstick gangsters… But damn if they don’t feel sophisticated right now pressing charges against our President and Vice President,” Higgins wrote in his now deleted article post. “All these thugs better come to their senses and get their asses out of our country before January 20.”

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

“It’s all true,” Higgins said Wednesday. “If you wish, I can write one other controversial post tomorrow. This means we now have freedom of speech. I’ll say what I would like.”

His remarks led to violent tensions within the chambers of Congress as black legislators sharply condemned his remarks and called for censorship.

“America is a nation of immigrants where all are welcome,” said the Congressional Black Caucus statement read partially. “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 vilifying and villainizing immigrants for political purposes.”

Only after Higgins confronted some members of Congress did he remove his post and retract his comments. House Speaker Mike Johnson (La.), he stated that Higgins “regrets some of the language he used,” calling him “an honest and open person” and “a man of very principle.”

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

“The unintended impact that one of my colleagues expressed very honestly and kindly touched me as a gentleman,” he added.

Many X-users didn’t buy Higgins’ justification for his comments, noting that it was a weak response in light of the hateful speech he used. Several people called on the congressman to issue a correct apology.

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

“He doesn’t know how to behave and he owes everyone, and that means an apology,” wrote another person.

“Oh, how easy is it? You can lie and say whatever you wish so long as you pray afterwards? Now I do know why so many Republicans pretend to be Christians,” wrote one other.

Other he joked “@MikeJohnson So you and @RepClayHiggins may like one another, but I prayed about it and Jesus told me that he thinks you each are a few racist morons and that he is disgusted with you each. His words… not mine. Amen.”

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

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

At the sheriff’s office, Higgins was the general public information officer. His appearances in Crime Stoppers videos brought him widespread Internet fame and made him a favourite amongst residents of his jurisdiction.

Many people online called him “Cajun John Wayne.” He even began a private enterprise selling merchandise akin to mugs and T-shirts using his badge and uniform, which Salon said, as Sheriff Bobby Guidroz confirmed, violated department policy.

Before working in St. Landry Higgins was a patrol officer with the Opelousas Police Department starting in 2004. He resigned from his job in 2007 after he reportedly assaulted an unarmed black man after which made false statements in police records about the incident, claiming he had been attacked First. Rather than face disciplinary consequences, he resigned and later called a police investigator to apologize.