Rep. Clay Higgins Faces Backlash for Remarks on Haitians

Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) faced significant backlash for a social media post where he described Haitians in derogatory terms, including claims that they eat pets and practice 'vudu.' Following a storm of criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, he deleted the post but later defended his comments, asserting his right to free speech. The Congressional Black Caucus condemned Higgins, with Chairman Steven Horsford calling for a censure, stating that Higgins' words incite hate and fear. The controversy is exacerbated by the ongoing discrimination faced by the Haitian community, particularly in Springfield, Ohio, fueled by previous false claims made by Donald Trump. Despite the outrage, some Republican leaders, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, downplayed the incident, noting the post's deletion. Higgins reiterated his stance, indicating he may continue to make provocative statements regardless of the backlash.