In a stunning display of near-unanimous congressional action, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) by a vote of 427-1 on Tuesday, forcing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to unveil long-sealed documents from the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation. The bipartisan bill, backed by 216 Republicans and 211 Democrats, represents a major victory for transparency advocates eager to expose Epstein’s elite network. But one name echoes in dissent: Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.), the only lawmaker to oppose the bill forcing DOJ to unveil Epstein documents, drawing sharp scrutiny to the Louisiana conservative’s background and motivations.
As the sole “no” vote amid President Donald Trump’s late endorsement of the measure, Higgins has become the focal point of national debate. Who is Clay Higgins, the former law enforcement officer turned firebrand congressman whose stand against the Epstein documents release has ignited accusations of obstruction and praise for principled conservatism? This deep dive explores his journey from Cajun horse ranches to Capitol Hill, revealing a man shaped by controversy, unyielding ideology, and a deep-rooted commitment to law-and-order principles.
Early Life and Law Enforcement Roots: From Horse Ranches to the Front Lines
Born Glen Clay Higgins on August 24, 1961, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the seventh of eight children, Higgins grew up in a tight-knit family that relocated to Covington when he was six. Raised on a horse ranch where the family trained and bred steeds, young Clay developed a rugged, self-reliant ethos amid the bayous of south Louisiana. After graduating from Covington High School, he briefly attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge but dropped out without a degree, opting instead for a path in public service.
Higgins’ law enforcement career began at age 18 when he enlisted in the Military Police Corps of the Louisiana National Guard, serving from 1979 to 1985 and rising to Staff Sergeant. He later joined the Opelousas City Police Department as a patrol officer in 2004, resigning in 2007 amid investigations into unnecessary force against a handcuffed suspect and false statements—incidents that foreshadowed his contentious style. Undeterred, he moved to the Port Barre Police Department (2007-2010) and then the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office in 2011, where he was promoted to Captain and public information officer in 2014.
It was during his sheriff’s office tenure that Higgins first captured public attention. Tasked with producing Crime Stoppers videos, he improvised gritty, no-holds-barred appeals that went viral, earning him the moniker “Cajun John Wayne” from national media in 2015. However, his tenure ended abruptly in February 2016 after resignations over unprofessional comments, misuse of his uniform for personal profit (including merchandise sales via an LLC), and policy violations. He briefly served as a reserve deputy marshal in Lafayette before retiring his commission in 2019, while maintaining a reserve role with the Louisiana Attorney General’s office. Today, Higgins holds an active Louisiana State POST Certification as a reserve law enforcement officer, a credential that underscores his self-proclaimed expertise in criminal justice matters.
Rise to Political Stardom: Viral Vigilante to Trump Ally
Higgins’ media savvy propelled him into politics. Recruited by local operative Chris Comeaux in 2016—despite living in Louisiana’s 5th District—he ran for the open 3rd District seat as a Republican outsider. Backed by a Super PAC tied to former Sen. David Vitter, Higgins finished second in the nonpartisan blanket primary and clinched victory in the December runoff against Scott Angelle with 56.1% of the vote. Sworn in on January 3, 2017, he quickly aligned with the House Freedom Caucus, becoming one of Congress’s most conservative voices.
Reelected four times—in 2018 (Trump-endorsed, no runoff), 2020 (67.76%), 2022 (64.3%), and 2024 (70.6%)—Higgins represents a sprawling district encompassing Lafayette, Lake Charles, and New Iberia, a conservative stronghold of oil fields and Cajun culture. His congressional roles include senior membership on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (chairing the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee) and service on the House Armed Services Committee. Ranked by the Center for Effective Lawmaking as one of the most effective Republican legislators, Higgins champions smaller government, secure borders, lower taxes, and Second Amendment rights.
Yet his career is marred by controversies: inflammatory social media posts, including calls to “drop 10 of you where you stand” at protests (2018) and threats against Islamic suspects (2017); associations with far-right groups like the Three Percenters and Oath Keepers; and promoting January 6 conspiracy theories. Personally, Higgins has been married four times, facing child support lawsuits and allegations of domestic threats (which he denies). He resides in Lafayette with his wife, Becca, and famously slept on an air mattress in his Capitol office to embody fiscal conservatism.
The Epstein Vote: Only Lawmaker to Oppose Amid Bipartisan Surge
Higgins’ law enforcement pedigree directly informs his opposition to the bill forcing DOJ to unveil Epstein documents. In a statement following the 427-1 vote, he argued the measure “abandons centuries of criminal justice procedures,” risking harm to innocent witnesses, alibis, families, and victims by releasing unredacted files. Noting the House Oversight Committee’s prior release of over 60,000 pages, Higgins vowed support for Senate amendments enhancing privacy protections. His stance persists despite Trump’s Sunday reversal urging GOP unity, highlighting Higgins’ independent streak even as an ardent ally.
The bill, now headed to the Senate for expected passage and Trump’s signature, gives the DOJ 30 days to comply post-enactment, potentially exposing new Epstein ties.
Backlash and Legacy: A Maverick in the MAGA Era
Higgins’ solo dissent has polarized: Critics decry it as shielding elites, while supporters laud his victim-focused vigilance. As the only lawmaker to oppose the Epstein documents push, his profile surges, testing his viability in a Trump-dominated GOP. Will this cement his maverick status or invite primary challenges? In Louisiana’s heartland, where his tough-guy persona resonates, Higgins remains unapologetic—a Cajun warrior prioritizing justice over headlines.
