Congressman Clay Higgins, a Republican from Louisiana, alarmed Americans on Tuesday when he shared an image of a group of armed Black men, threatening to kill them in the caption.
The photo Higgins shared was from a demonstration earlier this summer in Louisville, Kentucky, where the men were protesting the murder of Breonna Taylor by police. Similar to largely white demonstrators who protested lockdown measures around the same time, the men were armed with assault weapons.
Rumors spread that the militia would soon be headed to Louisiana.
Though that never happened, Higgins wrote for the men pictured to "have your affairs in order."
Screenshots of Higgins' words soon spread across the internet.
Higgins continued:
"I'd drop any 10 of you where you stand. Because some of We, like me... We, are SWAT. Nothing personal. We just eliminate the threat. We don't care what color you are. We don't care if you're left or right. If you show up like this, if We recognize threat... you won't walk away."
Facebook removed the post "for breaking [its] Violence and Incitement policies."
The removal outraged Higgins, who claimed the removal was a threat to the liberty of all Americans.
"No, I did not remove my post. America is being manipulated into a new era of government control. Your liberty is threatened from within. Welcome to the front lines, Ladies and Gentlemen. I suggest you get your mind right. I'll advise when it's time gear up, mount up, and roll out."
People were disgusted at his words.
Clay Higgins has GOT TO GO!!!! pic.twitter.com/2dZ2H6yG3J
— End Qualified Immunity (@aillimaj) September 2, 2020
Meanwhile, Rep. Clay Higgins website states: "I believe strongly that we should do all we can as a society to protect the sanctity of life"
Apparently, that doesn't extend to black men
If you agree racism has no place in Congress, donate to his opponent https://t.co/cb8GNCBouV https://t.co/4YghfwDlJR
— igorvolsky (@igorvolsky) September 2, 2020
Ladies and Gentlemen, residents of Louisiana and beyond, this Facebook post is what I'd call a credible threat.
If I posted something like this on social media, I'd be getting a Special Visit - and I'm not an elected official.
Clay Higgins has got to go. https://t.co/kG9xmxg4Xb
— Blue Robot (@_tinrobot) September 2, 2020
Rep Clay Higgins wants to shoot Black people. All the quiet parts are screaming loudly these days... https://t.co/oWHVEpNnDD
— President Kamala's Hand (STILL) (@DearDean22) September 2, 2020
If Clay Higgins was a black Democrat and Republicans controlled the House, Clay Higgins would be a former member of Congress by the end of the day. https://t.co/l1B4hZ23B2
— Jamison Foser (@jamisonfoser) September 2, 2020
Clay Higgins sounds like the racist sheriff in a movie set during segregation https://t.co/ZzoCmQUxbx
— The Cyber (@r0wdy_) September 2, 2020
Some said Higgins' philosophy was more or less that of most Republican lawmakers.
This is your republican party.
If any of us posted this, we would likely get a visit from some enforcement agency.
And rightly so.
Republicans have morphed over the past 30 years into these unabashed sociopaths.
"Captain" Clay Higgins seems like a coward, as most bullies are. https://t.co/xHymgm9Gn7
— 4a65737374696e°τφµΣ (@jesstin_k) September 2, 2020
A right wing extremist in a suit in office is still a right wing extremist
— NastyWomanInBC🇨🇦 (@NotYetinBC) September 2, 2020
Why is the right so hell bent on inciting violent attacks on others in this county?
How does that make US great?
— 188,000 Dead #AmericanGenocide (@JokerNov) September 2, 2020