In a heated exchange on social media, Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana faced backlash from House Democrats for making derogatory remarks about Haitian immigrants. The controversial comments, which have drawn criticism for their racist undertones, were swiftly deleted by the far-right lawmaker after a confrontation on the House floor.

Higgins, known for his conspiracy theories and incendiary rhetoric, referred to Haitians as “wild, eating pets, voodoo, cults, slapstick gangsters” in a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter).

The incident sparked outrage among the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio, and beyond, following false claims made by Republican figures like Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance about Haitians eating pets. The community has faced racist abuse and threats, prompting a nonprofit organization to file charges against Trump and Vance for their inflammatory remarks.

As tensions escalate, Higgins called for the expulsion of Haitians from the country, adding fuel to the fire in the ongoing debate over immigration policy. However, an attempt by House Democrats to censure Higgins was swiftly shut down by GOP leadership, highlighting the deep political divisions surrounding issues of race and immigration.

Despite the controversy, House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Higgins, emphasizing his regret over the inflammatory post and portraying him as a principled individual capable of redemption. This incident adds to a history of controversial social media posts by Higgins, raising concerns about his conduct as a public figure.

The clash between House Democrats and Republicans underscores the challenges of addressing racism and hate speech in the political sphere, as lawmakers grapple with how to hold their colleagues accountable for their actions.