Rep. Clay Higgins’ Racist Attack on Haitian Immigrants Sparks Call to End ‘Hateful Rhetoric’

A racially charged attack on Haitian immigrants by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) has triggered a sharp response from the Congressional Black Caucus, with its chair, Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV), condemning the comments and demanding an end to the divisive rhetoric. Horsford’s rebuke came just hours after Higgins posted inflammatory remarks on social media, targeting Haitian immigrants and stirring outrage among lawmakers and the Haitian community.

“It’s this type of racist intolerance, this divisive rhetoric that must stop,” Horsford said during an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Wednesday evening. He stressed the need for unity and condemned the comments, which have sown fear among Haitian-American communities. “It’s time to turn the page, as Vice President Kamala Harris has said, against this divisiveness that pits one group of Americans against another.”

Horsford, who filed a resolution to censure Higgins, described a tense exchange on the House floor where he confronted the Louisiana congressman about the impact of his remarks. According to Horsford, he tried to explain to Higgins “how his words are affecting the lives of actual people today,” urging him to remove the offensive post, told NBC News.

“I asked him specifically to remove his post, and he’s like, ‘I’m going to pray about it,’” Horsford recounted. “What do you need to pray about? Just do what is right and stop this hateful rhetoric that is causing people to feel targeted. He told me no.”

Haitian Community Fearful Amid False Accusations

The comments by Higgins, which included false claims about Haitian immigrants, have exacerbated fears among Haitian-American communities, particularly children who now fear for their safety, according to Horsford. He called out the dangerous impact of such rhetoric, which he linked to broader efforts by former President Donald Trump, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), and other MAGA-aligned politicians to vilify immigrant groups.

“It’s not even true what they’re saying,” Horsford stated. He emphasized that the “made-up stories” about Haitian immigrants have disrupted the lives of Haitian-American families, including children who are now afraid to attend school due to the hostile climate created by these accusations.

The controversy erupted over a social media post by Higgins, who falsely accused Haitian immigrants of filing criminal charges against Trump and Vance, claiming they were involved in bizarre and unsubstantiated accusations of harming local pets. These baseless claims have been echoed by right-wing extremists, further escalating tensions.

Defending Free Speech or Spreading Hate?

Higgins, in his defense, told CNN that he stands by his comments, framing his remarks as an exercise of free speech. “I’m just saying what I believe to be true,” Higgins said, showing no signs of remorse for the inflammatory post.

However, Horsford was quick to challenge this defense, pointing out that such rhetoric is not just divisive but dangerous. “Today it’s the Haitians. Who will it be tomorrow? Will it be you?” Horsford asked, highlighting the slippery slope of targeting minority groups with harmful language and misinformation.

Republicans Block Censure Resolution

Despite Horsford’s efforts to censure Higgins, the resolution was swiftly blocked by Republicans. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Higgins, describing him as “a dear friend” and “a very principled man.” Johnson’s support for Higgins underscores the deep partisan divide over issues of race, immigration, and accountability in Congress.

As the debate rages on, Horsford’s call for an end to hateful rhetoric remains urgent, particularly as marginalized communities continue to face the brunt of political scapegoating. For Horsford and many others, the stakes are clear: divisive language not only harms communities but also threatens the fabric of American society itself.