Epstein Files Release: Why Congressman Clay Higgins Cast the Only ‘No’ Vote
By Md Zamal Uddin
The United States House of Representatives passed a major bipartisan bill demanding the public release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, a collection of long-awaited documents tied to one of the most controversial criminal cases in recent American history. The measure received overwhelming approval, with 427 lawmakers voting in favour, including 216 Republicans. Only one representative opposed the bill—Louisiana Republican Clay Higgins.
While lawmakers from both parties expected a clean and unanimous vote, Higgins’s dissent immediately drew national attention. His decision not only surprised many observers but also revived discussions about his long history of taking positions that fall outside the mainstream of the Republican Party.
Who Is Clay Higgins?
Congressman Clay Higgins, who has represented Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District since 2017, is widely known as a far-right conservative and a firm supporter of former President Donald Trump. Before entering Congress, he served in law enforcement, though his career was marked by several misconduct complaints. His tough-talking Crime Stoppers videos—which went viral for their dramatic, hardline style—helped establish his public image and later boosted his political career.
Past Controversies
Higgins has frequently been at the center of national debates:
In 2020, he posted a threatening message on Facebook directed at armed protesters. The post included a photo of Black demonstrators carrying firearms and was later removed by Facebook.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Higgins claimed, without evidence, that the virus had been created and weaponized by the Chinese Communist Party.
In 2021, he pushed the debunked theory that “ghost buses” carrying undercover agents were sent to provoke violence during the January 6 Capitol attack.
In 2024, he echoed Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about Haitian immigrants, calling Haiti “the nastiest country in the Western Hemisphere.” After backlash from the Congressional Black Caucus, he deleted the post and said he had been referring to gang members, not ordinary Haitians.
Despite ongoing criticism, Higgins has maintained a loyal following due to his outspoken style and firm conservative positions.
Why Did Clay Higgins Vote Against Releasing the Epstein Files?
Although Higgins previously expressed support for the Epstein investigation, he has been consistent in opposing the public release of raw investigative documents. Following the House vote, he explained his reasoning in a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter).
According to Higgins, releasing the Epstein criminal investigation files could:
Expose innocent people, including witnesses, family members, and individuals who were never implicated.
Break long-standing U.S. criminal justice norms that protect private information.
Allow the media to sensationalize sensitive details and potentially harm uninvolved individuals.
He wrote:
“I have been a principled ‘NO’ on this bill from the beginning. It abandons 250 years of criminal justice procedure in America. As written, this bill reveals and injures thousands of innocent people.”
Higgins insisted that releasing such information—without stronger privacy protections—could lead to “innocent Americans being hurt.”
Lawmakers Disagree With Higgins's Claims
Supporters of the bill argued that Higgins’s fears were misplaced. They highlighted that the legislation already includes mandatory redactions to protect:
Witness identities
Victims and their families
Whistleblowers
Individuals not criminally implicated
Additionally, the Senate passed the bill unanimously, signaling broad confidence that privacy concerns were properly addressed. The final step will be obtaining the signature of President Donald Trump, who has voiced support for transparency in the case.
Public Reaction and Higgins’s Response
Immediately after the vote, observers noticed Higgins holding up his phone to take a photo of the House voting board—seemingly capturing the moment he stood alone in dissent. The move sparked discussions on social media, with many suggesting he wanted to highlight his solitary position as a stand for “principle” rather than conformity.
Higgins later clarified that if the Senate sends back an amended version with stronger privacy guarantees, he will support it.
Conclusion
Clay Higgins’s lone vote against releasing the Epstein files underscores his long history of taking controversial, non-mainstream positions. While nearly every other member of Congress supported the push for transparency, Higgins continues to argue that protecting innocent Americans must come first.
The nation now awaits the final release of the redacted Epstein documents—a moment that many believe will shed new light on one of the most disturbing criminal networks in modern U.S. history.
.jpeg)
0 Comments