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| | |party=[[Republican Party|Republican]] | | |party=[[Republican Party|Republican]] |
| | |religion=[[Christian]] | | |religion=[[Christian]] |
| | + | |allegiance=[[United States]] |
| | + | |rank=Staff Sergeant |
| | + | |branch=[[United States Army]] |
| | + | |unit=Louisiana National Guard |
| | + | |serviceyears=1979–1985 |
| | }} | | }} |
| − | '''Glen Clay Higgins''', known as '''Clay Higgins''' and as the '''Cajun John Wayne''' (born August 1961),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/Home?uid=498289|title=Glen Higgins, August 1961|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=July 11, 2016}}</ref> is the [[Republican Party|Republican]] member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] for [[Louisiana]]'s 3rd congressional district, based about [[Lafayette]] and [[Lake Charles]]. | + | '''Glen Clay Higgins''', known as '''Clay Higgins''' and as the '''Cajun John Wayne''' (born August 1961),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/Home?uid=498289|title=Glen Higgins, August 1961|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=July 11, 2016}}</ref> is the [[Republican Party|Republican]] member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] for [[Louisiana]]'s 3rd congressional district, based about [[Lafayette]] and [[Lake Charles]]. '''''Rep. Higgins was the only [[House]] member to stand up against the [[liberal media]] mob on the [[Epstein Files]] release by voting "no" to protect many who violated no laws'''''. |
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| | Higgins, born in [[New Orleans]], is a former law enforcement officer from St. Landry Parish (Opelousas) who gained national attention for his aggressive Crime Stoppers [[video]]s. He has been called "the most bad-ass cop in America".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lockerdome.com/totalfratmove/7573506087078676|title=Meet Lt. Clay Higgins, The Most Badass Cop In America|publisher=lockerdome.com|accessdate=July 11, 2016}}</ref> | | Higgins, born in [[New Orleans]], is a former law enforcement officer from St. Landry Parish (Opelousas) who gained national attention for his aggressive Crime Stoppers [[video]]s. He has been called "the most bad-ass cop in America".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lockerdome.com/totalfratmove/7573506087078676|title=Meet Lt. Clay Higgins, The Most Badass Cop In America|publisher=lockerdome.com|accessdate=July 11, 2016}}</ref> |
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| | + | On September 2, 2020, Higgins made a [[Facebook]] post calling for potential lethal retaliation against extremely violent [[far-left]] mobs amidst the [[2020 Leftwing insurrection]], which ultimately got removed by the platform and was reported by the [[lamestream media]] as "inciting violence";<ref>Multiple references: |
| | + | *[https://thehill.com/homenews/house/514814-facebook-removes-gop-lawmakers-post-for-inciting-violence Facebook removes GOP lawmaker's post for inciting violence] |
| | + | *[https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/2020/09/02/louisiana-rep-clay-higgins-threatens-shoot-armed-protesters-facebook-post/5690861002/ Louisiana's U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins says he'd shoot armed protesters in Facebook post] |
| | + | *[https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/article_77138836-ecc4-11ea-a8d0-772b482469cb.html Clay Higgins says on Facebook that armed demonstrators 'won't walk away' from Louisiana protests]</ref> note that these are the same establishment media outlets that refuse to call out [[Antifa]] violence for what they are. Several [[left-wing]] sources even published highly misleading headlines suggesting that Higgins' post was racially charged, despite part of the initial post reading: "''We don't care what color you are''."<ref>Two references: |
| | + | *[https://www.salon.com/2020/09/02/facebook-removes-post-by-republican-congressman-calling-black-protesters-to-be-shot_partner/ Facebook removes post by Republican congressman calling for Black protesters to be shot] |
| | + | *[https://www.motherjones.com/anti-racism-police-protest/2020/09/gop-congressman-to-black-protesters-id-drop-any-10-of-you-where-you-stand/ GOP Congressman to Black Protesters: “I’d Drop Any 10 of You Where You Stand”]</ref> |
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| | ==Background== | | ==Background== |
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| | ==2016 congressional race== | | ==2016 congressional race== |
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| − | A former car salesman,<ref name=salon/> Higgins defeated another Republican, former Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Scott A. Angelle, in a runoff election for the 3rd district U.S. House seat on December 10, 2016. The incumbent representative, Republican Charles Boustany, a retired [[physician]] from Lafayette, gave up the seat in an unsuccessful bid for the [[United States Senate]] in the November 8 primary election. Victory in the Senate race went to state Treasurer [[John Neely Kennedy]], who won the right to succeed the retiring incumbent senator, Republican [[David Vitter]].
| + | Higgins is a former car salesman.<ref name=salon/> On December 10, 2016, he defeated in a runoff the Moderate Republican [[Scott Angelle]], a former Louisiana Public Service Commissioner, in their contest for the 3rd congressional district U.S. House seat. The incumbent representative, [[Moderate Republican]] Charles Boustany, a retired [[physician]] from Lafayette, gave up the seat in an unsuccessful bid for the [[United States Senate]] in the November 8 primary election. Victory in the Senate race went to state Treasurer [[John Neely Kennedy]], who won the right to succeed the retiring incumbent senator and fellow Republican, [[David Vitter]]. |
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| | Higgins espouses a [[conservative]] political stance in which he urges the public to: | | Higgins espouses a [[conservative]] political stance in which he urges the public to: |
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| | Higgins went to [[Washington, D.C.]], on a campaign fund-raising trip that coincided with orientation of new House members. He attended an orientation dinner but said that he was not assuming that he will defeat Angelle in the runoff contest. "I am here to raise money and for people to vet me. I'm meeting with people who need to shake my hand and look into my eyes and into my heart," he said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2016/11/16/premature-orientation-higgins-says-hes-dc-raise-money-not-mingle/93953264/|title=Premature orientation? Higgins says he's in D.C. to raise money, not mingle|author=[[Greg Hilburn]] and Deborah Barfield Berry|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=November 16, 2016|accessdate=November 17, 2016}}</ref> | | Higgins went to [[Washington, D.C.]], on a campaign fund-raising trip that coincided with orientation of new House members. He attended an orientation dinner but said that he was not assuming that he will defeat Angelle in the runoff contest. "I am here to raise money and for people to vet me. I'm meeting with people who need to shake my hand and look into my eyes and into my heart," he said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2016/11/16/premature-orientation-higgins-says-hes-dc-raise-money-not-mingle/93953264/|title=Premature orientation? Higgins says he's in D.C. to raise money, not mingle|author=[[Greg Hilburn]] and Deborah Barfield Berry|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=November 16, 2016|accessdate=November 17, 2016}}</ref> |
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| − | A Trump supporter, Higgins carried the backing of the Lafayette-based talk radio host [[Moon Griffon]], a long-term critic of both Angelle and Angelle's campaign manager, Timothy "Timmy" Teepell, a former aide to former Governor [[Bobby Jindal]]. | + | A Trump supporter, Higgins carried the backing of the Lafayette-based talk radio host [[Moon Griffon]], a long-term critic of both Angelle and Angelle's campaign manager, [[Timmy Teepell]], a former aide to former Governor [[Bobby Jindal]]. |
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| | Higgins trailed Angelle in fund-raising; he amassed $280,966 through December 1, 2016, compared to Angelle's $1.63 million. From October 20 to November 20, Angelle raised $281,276; Higgins, $99,345. As of November 20, Angelle had $412,806 on hand; Higgins, $34,104, according to a campaign finance report posted by the [[Federal Election Commission]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2016/12/01/angelle-cash-king-3rd-district-race-but-higgins-gets-most-bang-buck/94724428/|title=Angelle cash king in 3rd District race, but Higgins gets most bang for buck|author=Greg Hilburn|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=December 1, 2016|access date=December 2, 2016}}</ref> | | Higgins trailed Angelle in fund-raising; he amassed $280,966 through December 1, 2016, compared to Angelle's $1.63 million. From October 20 to November 20, Angelle raised $281,276; Higgins, $99,345. As of November 20, Angelle had $412,806 on hand; Higgins, $34,104, according to a campaign finance report posted by the [[Federal Election Commission]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2016/12/01/angelle-cash-king-3rd-district-race-but-higgins-gets-most-bang-buck/94724428/|title=Angelle cash king in 3rd District race, but Higgins gets most bang for buck|author=Greg Hilburn|publisher=''The Shreveport Times''|date=December 1, 2016|access date=December 2, 2016}}</ref> |
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| | ==2018 re-election bid== | | ==2018 re-election bid== |
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| − | On November 6, 2018, Higgins in a field of seven candidates, defeated fellow Republican [[Josh Guillory]], a [[Lafayette]] lawyer who served in the [[United States Army]] in [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]]. Guillory carries the endorsement of President Trump's attorney, [[Rudy Giuliani]], the former [[mayor]] of [[New York City]]. Giuliani backs Guillory because Giuliani's paramour, Jennifer LeBlanc, left the employment of Representative Higgins, reportedly on good terms, but she opposes the congressman's re-election. Giuliani and LeBlanc hosted a fund-raiser for Guillory. Guillory called his opponent "a phony and a hypocrite," having cited Higgins' vote to raise the [[Federal Debt Limit|debt ceiling]]. "At some point, we have to take fiscal responsibility seriously. I will not vote to increase our national debt. We have got to get our spending under control." Guillory claims that Higgins has put party politics above his constituents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/elections/article_32ae7c1a-8d25-11e8-ba7b-3b790348324c.html|title=A day with one-of-a-kind U. S. Rep. Clay Higgins: 'Dog the Bounty Hunter', motorcycles, tattoos, more|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=July 21, 2018|author=Elizabeth Crisp|accessdate=July 25, 2018}}</ref> | + | On November 6, 2018, Higgins in a field of seven candidates, defeated fellow Republican [[Josh Guillory]], a [[Lafayette]] lawyer who served in the [[United States Army]] in [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]]. Guillory carries the endorsement of President Trump's attorney, [[Rudy Giuliani]], the former [[mayor]] of [[New York City]]. Giuliani backs Guillory because Giuliani's paramour, Jennifer LeBlanc, left the employment of Representative Higgins, reportedly on good terms, but she opposes the congressman's re-election. Giuliani and LeBlanc hosted a fund-raiser for Guillory, who lambasted Higgins as "a phony and a hypocrite," having cited Higgins' vote to raise the [[Federal Debt Limit|debt ceiling]]. "At some point, we have to take fiscal responsibility seriously. I will not vote to increase our national debt. We have got to get our spending under control." Guillory claims that Higgins has put party politics above his constituents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/elections/article_32ae7c1a-8d25-11e8-ba7b-3b790348324c.html|title=A day with one-of-a-kind U. S. Rep. Clay Higgins: 'Dog the Bounty Hunter', motorcycles, tattoos, more|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=July 21, 2018|author=Elizabeth Crisp|accessdate=July 25, 2018}}</ref> |
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| | Trump, however, remains committed to Higgins, who has been highly supportive of the president's [[MAGA]] agenda. Higgins said that he was confident that he could defeat Guillory or the five other opponents seeking the position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_b320e976-74e5-11e8-9f51-f75c8096273c.html|title=Trump endorses Higgins after Giuliani backs opponent his girlfriend works for|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=June 20, 2018|accessdate=June 22, 2018}}</ref> | | Trump, however, remains committed to Higgins, who has been highly supportive of the president's [[MAGA]] agenda. Higgins said that he was confident that he could defeat Guillory or the five other opponents seeking the position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/article_b320e976-74e5-11e8-9f51-f75c8096273c.html|title=Trump endorses Higgins after Giuliani backs opponent his girlfriend works for|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=June 20, 2018|accessdate=June 22, 2018}}</ref> |
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| − | In addition to Josh Guillory, Higgins faced two Democratic challengers in the November 6 nonpartisan blanket primary for his second term in Congress. Rob Anderson of DeQuincy in Calcasieu Parish, a freelance author, claims that Higgins "crossed the line" in a video about the [[Holocaust]] filmed in a gas chamber at the [[Auschwitz]] concentration camp in [[Nazi]]-occupied [[Poland]]. Former U.S. Magistrate Mildred Ellen "Mimi" Methvin (October 24, 1952), a [[liberal]] ridiculed Higgins as "less Cajun John Wayne and more Cajun Barney Fife," a reference to the 1960-1968 [[CBS]] [[television]] series, ''The Andy Griffith Show.'' Methvin, who carried the official endorsement of the Louisiana Democratic Executive Committee,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2018/08/20/see-who-la-democrats-pinned-their-hopes-loosen-gop-grip/1041200002/|author=Greg Hilburn|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|date=August 20, 2018|title=See who Louisiana Democrats pinned their hopes on|accessdate=August 21, 2018}}</ref> argues that Higgins casts votes for the Trump agenda that are in conflict with the interests of hard-pressed constituents in the district.<ref>{{cite web|url= | + | In addition to Josh Guillory, Higgins faced two Democratic challengers in the November 6 nonpartisan blanket primary for his second term in Congress. Rob Anderson of DeQuincy in Calcasieu Parish, a freelance author, claims that Higgins "crossed the line" in a video about the [[Holocaust]] filmed in a gas chamber at the [[Auschwitz]] concentration camp in [[Nazi]]-occupied [[Poland]]. Former U.S. Magistrate Mildred Ellen "Mimi" Methvin (born October 24, 1952), a [[liberal]], ridiculed Higgins as "less Cajun John Wayne and more Cajun Barney Fife," a reference to the 1960-1968 [[CBS]] [[television]] series, ''The Andy Griffith Show.'' Methvin, who carried the official endorsement of the Louisiana Democratic Executive Committee,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2018/08/20/see-who-la-democrats-pinned-their-hopes-loosen-gop-grip/1041200002/|author=Greg Hilburn|publisher=''[[Alexandria Town Talk]]''|date=August 20, 2018|title=See who Louisiana Democrats pinned their hopes on|accessdate=August 21, 2018}}</ref> argues that Higgins casts votes for the Trump agenda that are in conflict with the interests of hard-pressed constituents in the district.<ref>{{cite web|url= |
| − | https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/elections/article_8ad49a60-8a8b-11e8-8c46-2f2cfc5d085d.html|title=Candidates for Louisiana Secretary of State, Congress begin to qualify for fall elections|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=July 18, 2018|author=Mark Ballard}}</ref> Methvin is a daughter of the late [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] attorney [[DeWitt T. Methvin, Jr.]]; her paternal grandmother, Myrtis Lucille Gregory Methvin (1895-1977), was the first woman [[mayor]] in Louisiana in rural Castor in Bienville Parish; her maternal grandfather, William Peyton Cunningham, Sr. (1901-1971), represented Natchitoches Parish in the state House of Representatives from 1932 to 1940. | + | https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/elections/article_8ad49a60-8a8b-11e8-8c46-2f2cfc5d085d.html|title=Candidates for Louisiana Secretary of State, Congress begin to qualify for fall elections|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=July 18, 2018|author=Mark Ballard}}</ref> Methvin is a daughter of the late [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] attorney [[DeWitt T. Methvin, Jr.]]; her paternal grandmother, [[Myrtis Methvin|Myrtis Lucille Gregory Methvin]], was the second woman [[mayor]] in Louisiana in rural Castor in Bienville Parish; the first woman mayor in the state was the [[Methodist]] [[clergy]]woman [[Lula Wardlow]] in Montgomery in Grant Parish. Methvin's grandfather, William Peyton Cunningham, Sr. (1901-1971), represented Natchitoches Parish in the state House of Representatives from 1932 to 1940. |
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| − | Two [[African-American]] candidates also challenged Higgins. Verone Thomas of [[Lake Charles]], a [[United States Navy]] veteran and [[business]]man, said that the 3rd District is "sinking, and we need someone to patch the hole and guide us in the right direction." Larry Rader, an insurance agent from New Iberia who previously sought the seat, ran again. After polling 9 percent of the ballots cast in 2016, Rader then endorsed Higgins in the runoff against Scott Angelle. Rader vowed to focus on diversification of the Louisiana economy and claims Higgins has not met the expectations Rader had for him in the previous runoff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2018/07/19/higgins-qualifies-re-election-trumps-blessing-via-tweet/799549002/|title="Higgins qualifies for re-election with Trump's blessing"|author=Greg Hilburn|date=July 19, 2018|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|accessdate=July 20, 2018}}</ref> | + | Two [[African-American]] candidates also challenged Higgins. Verone Thomas of [[Lake Charles]], a [[United States Navy]] veteran and [[business]]man, said that the 3rd District is "sinking, and we need someone to patch the hole and guide us in the right direction." Larry Rader, an insurance agent from New Iberia who previously sought the seat, ran again. After polling 9 percent of the ballots cast in 2016, Rader then endorsed Higgins in the runoff against Scott Angelle. Rader vowed to focus on diversification of the Louisiana economy and claims Higgins has not met the expectations Rader had for him in the previous runoff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2018/07/19/higgins-qualifies-re-election-trumps-blessing-via-tweet/799549002/|title="Higgins qualifies for re-election with Trump's blessing"|author=Greg Hilburn|date=July 19, 2018|publisher=''[[Monroe News Star]]''|accessdate=July 20, 2018}}</ref> |
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| | In July 2018, Higgins said that he was "surprised and disturbed" that many of his Democratic colleagues voted "Present" on a non-binding House resolution to voice support for the federal [[Immigration and Customs Enforcement]] agency, which has come under attack from liberals who claim agents have engaged in discriminatory treatment of [[illegal alien]]s. Higgins said that abolition of ICE would "only help those that ICE opposes, including drug dealers, human traffickers, and [[Terrorism|terrorists]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://clayhiggins.house.gov/media/in-the-news/gop-rep-surprised-disturbed-see-so-many-dems-vote-present-resolution-supporting|title=GOP Rep: 'Surprised' & 'Disturbed' to See So Many Dems Vote 'Present' on Resolution Supporting ICE|publisher=Clayhiggins.yhouse.gov|date=July 19, 2018|accessdate=August 23, 2018}}</ref> | | In July 2018, Higgins said that he was "surprised and disturbed" that many of his Democratic colleagues voted "Present" on a non-binding House resolution to voice support for the federal [[Immigration and Customs Enforcement]] agency, which has come under attack from liberals who claim agents have engaged in discriminatory treatment of [[illegal alien]]s. Higgins said that abolition of ICE would "only help those that ICE opposes, including drug dealers, human traffickers, and [[Terrorism|terrorists]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://clayhiggins.house.gov/media/in-the-news/gop-rep-surprised-disturbed-see-so-many-dems-vote-present-resolution-supporting|title=GOP Rep: 'Surprised' & 'Disturbed' to See So Many Dems Vote 'Present' on Resolution Supporting ICE|publisher=Clayhiggins.yhouse.gov|date=July 19, 2018|accessdate=August 23, 2018}}</ref> |
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| − | Though he had first expressed hesitance about the potential impact of retaliatory [[tariff]]s by [[China]] on American agricultural products, HHiggins said in August 2018 that he is encouraged by Trump's trade policies and expects farmers to reap ultimate benefit from the tariffs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2018/08/22/rep-higgins-trump-america-winning-trade-war/1050452002/|title=Rep. Higgins: Trump, America winning trade war|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=August 23, 2018|author=Greg Hilburn}}</ref> | + | Though he had first expressed hesitance about the potential impact of retaliatory [[tariff]]s by [[China]] on American agricultural products, Higgins said in August 2018 that he is encouraged by Trump's trade policies and expects farmers to reap ultimate benefit from the tariffs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/2018/08/22/rep-higgins-trump-america-winning-trade-war/1050452002/|title=Rep. Higgins: Trump, America winning trade war|publisher=''The Monroe News Star''|date=August 23, 2018|author=Greg Hilburn}}</ref> |
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| | ==References== | | ==References== |
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| | {{reflist}} | | {{reflist}} |
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| | {{DEFAULTSORT:Higgins, Clay}} | | {{DEFAULTSORT:Higgins, Clay}} |
| | [[Category:Louisiana People]] | | [[Category:Louisiana People]] |
| | + | [[Category:United States Veterans]] |
| | + | [[Category:United States Army]] |
| | [[Category:Conservatives]] | | [[Category:Conservatives]] |
| | [[Category:Republicans]] | | [[Category:Republicans]] |
| | [[Category:Television]] | | [[Category:Television]] |
| | + | [[Category:Law Enforcement]] |
| | [[Category:United States Representatives]] | | [[Category:United States Representatives]] |
| | + | [[Category:Anti-establishment]] |
| | + | [[Category:Patriots]] |
| | [[Category:Christians]] | | [[Category:Christians]] |
| | + | [[Category:115th United States Congress]] |
| | + | [[Category:116th United States Congress]] |
| | + | [[Category:117th United States Congress]] |
| | + | [[Category:America First Agenda Backers]] |
| | + | [[Category:Pro First Amendment]] |
| | + | [[Category:Trump 2024 Representatives]] |