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.”

Oh, is it that straightforward? 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.

— Stefan 🥼 (@StefanK1117) September 25, 2024

“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.

Today is National Black Voter’s Day, and the Hip Hop Club officially began its activities 2024 Respect my vote! Campaign. The campaign goals to mobilize Black and Brown communities ahead of certainly one of the most significant presidential elections in recent history.

Founded in 2008, this nonpartisan initiative engages voters through digital, social and streaming platforms. In addition to registering voters and inspiring them to participate in elections, the initiative also focuses on essential issues affecting marginalized groups, resembling the economy, climate change and environmental justice.

“For the last 16 years, respect my voice! is committed to educating and mobilizing voters of color,” said the Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., president and CEO Hip Hop Club. “We will continue to do this crucial work and help our communities decipher changing voter laws across the country. This election cycle is one of the most important our country has ever faced, and we will do everything we can to make voting accessible to all.”

This yr’s campaign comes at a time of accelerating urgency for voters of color, especially in states where the election was decided by slim vote margins. The Hip Hop Club set a goal of collecting 50,000 voter returns and registering 25,000 latest voters in battleground states like Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

A singular aspect of this yr is the deal with returning residents — individuals who have been incarcerated or had criminal convictions and infrequently mistakenly consider they ever lost the right to vote. The campaign provides resources to assist returning residents navigate the complex voting eligibility laws in their states. Many people could also be eligible to vote but not comprehend it, and this initiative goals to vary that by ensuring that everybody’s voice is heard.

This yr’s efforts are supported by a partnership with GroGroup’s VOTE BET Media initiative, which increases voter engagement across digital and social platforms. The hip-hop club can also be taking its message on to the streets as a part of the nationwide Respect My Vote! Tour, stopping in major cities like Atlanta, Detroit and New York to foster community conversations about voter rights and the importance of the upcoming elections.

For a campaign that has been wildly successful for greater than 15 years, the mission stays clear: to respect the vote and use it as a method to create real, lasting change.