Clay Higgins Epstein Files Vote Draws Scrutiny to Lawmaker’s Controversial Past

Congressman Clay Higgins was the sole lawmaker to vote against releasing the full Jeffrey Epstein files. The Louisiana Republican defended his decision on social media. His controversial vote has ignited fresh examination of his past conduct.

This includes a widely condemned video from Auschwitz and racist remarks about Haitian migrants. According to Mother Jones, his associations with convicted law enforcement officials also raise questions.

History of Provocative Statements and Actions

In 2017, Higgins filmed a video inside a Nazi gas chamber. He stated the site was a reason for American military strength. The Auschwitz Memorial Museum strongly criticized his actions.

They called the death camp a place for mourning, not a stage. Higgins later apologized and removed the video. The incident damaged his reputation early in his political career.

More recently, he targeted Haitian migrants with inflammatory language. On social media, he used racist slurs and promoted false claims. This included the baseless rumor that migrants were eating pets.

Democratic lawmakers called for his censure. House Speaker Mike Johnson defended him, stating Higgins had prayed on it. However, Higgins later publicly stated he stood by his words.

Questionable Associations and Professional Record

A Mother Jones investigation revealed troubling connections. Higgins maintained a close relationship with Leon Boudreaux. Boudreaux is a former sheriff’s deputy convicted of incest.

Boudreaux confirmed Higgins called him after the conviction. They are both members of the same motorcycle club. Photographs on social media confirm their ongoing association.

Higgins’s own law enforcement record is problematic. He resigned from the Opelousas Police Department. This followed an internal finding that he was untruthful during an investigation.

His former colleague, disciplined for excessive force, now serves as his district director. These associations contrast with his public stance on crime and justice.

The lone vote against Epstein file transparency has spotlighted Representative Higgins’s pattern of controversial behavior. His past actions and associations continue to fuel debates over accountability and judgment in Washington.

Thought you’d like to know

Why did Clay Higgins vote against the Epstein files release?

He argued the bill abandoned 250 years of criminal justice procedure. Higgins stated he was a principled “no” from the beginning. He maintained this position despite broad bipartisan support for the release.

What was the controversy with his Auschwitz video?

He filmed a political message inside a Nazi gas chamber. The Auschwitz Memorial condemned using the site as a stage. Higgins later apologized and removed the video from his channels.

What did he say about Haitian migrants?

He used racist slurs and called them “wild gangsters.” He also promoted a false claim they were eating pets. The posts sparked immediate calls for censure from other lawmakers.

Who is Leon Boudreaux?

He is a former sheriff’s deputy convicted of incest. Mother Jones reported that Higgins maintained a relationship with him. They are linked through a shared motorcycle club.

What happened in Higgins’s police career?

He resigned from a police department after an internal investigation. The probe found he had been untruthful. This ended his career in local law enforcement.