Here are nine documented controversies involving Clay Higgins over the years. This covers major public incidents, rather than every criticism of his record.
1. Police misconduct allegations, 2007. Opelousas police records accused him of striking a handcuffed suspect and giving false statements during an investigation. He resigned after disciplinary measures were approved. Higgins disputed the account and said he resigned for other reasons.
2. Degrading language toward suspects, 2016. In a police video, he called alleged gang members “animals,” “thugs,” and “heathens.” He later resigned from the sheriff’s office amid disputes over his conduct. His sheriff said he had repeatedly ordered Higgins to tone down disrespectful comments.
3. Calls to kill terrorism suspects, June 2017. After the London attack, he urged people to hunt and kill suspected terrorists, writing “Kill them all.” His spokesman said he meant terrorists, rather than Muslims generally. The remarks raised concerns about encouraging killing without arrest or trial.
4. Filming inside an Auschwitz gas chamber, July 2017. He recorded a video connecting the Holocaust memorial to his views on national security. Museum officials condemned using the chamber as a stage. He removed the video and apologized.
5. Threatening armed demonstrators, September 2020. Alongside a photograph of armed Black demonstrators, he wrote, “I’d drop any 10 of you where you stand.” Facebook removed the post under its violence and incitement rules.
6. Voting to reject electoral votes, January 2021. After the Capitol attack, he voted to sustain the objection to Arizona’s presidential electoral votes. Congress rejected the objection. This was a documented political action, rather than a criminal finding.
7. Physically pushing an activist, May 2023. Video showed Higgins pushing activist Jake Burdett away from a congressional press conference. Burdett alleged assault. Higgins defended his actions, describing the activist as threatening. Capitol Police announced a review.
8. Promoting unsupported January 6 claims, November 2023. He claimed “ghost buses” brought FBI informants disguised as Trump supporters to the Capitol. PolitiFact rated the claim false.
9. Attacking Haitian immigrants, September 2024, and opposing Epstein-file disclosure, November 2025. He repeated false pet-eating claims and disparaged Haitians in a post he later deleted. Separately, he cast the only House vote against legislation requiring release of the Epstein files, citing privacy concerns for innocent people named in investigative records. These were two distinct controversies.
It is time for new leadership and send Clay Higgins packing. Please don’t forget to vote early. It starts October 20.
