News

Actions

Auschwitz Memorial criticizes GOP lawmaker for filming video in a gas chamber

Auschwitz Memorial criticizes GOP lawmaker for filming video in a gas chamber
Posted

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Officials at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Poland denounced a video by a Republican lawmaker that was filmed at the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland.

Louisiana's Rep. Clay Higgins, who serves on the House homeland security committee, is facing criticism after recording a video published online in a former gas chamber.

In a response to his video, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial's official account tweeted, "Everyone has the right to personal reflections. However, inside a former gas chamber, there should be mournful silence. It's not a stage."

The account then followed up with a photo from the concentration camp that asks visitors to "maintain silence" to "respect the memory" of those who died.

CNN has reached out to Higgins' office for comment but has not yet received a response.

In the video, Higgins walks through the property and explains why he thinks it's important to remember those who died in the chambers.

"A great sense of dread comes over you in this place," Higgins said in the video while touring the site. "Man's inhumanity to man can be quite shocking."

He continued later: "It's hard to walk away from the gas chambers and ovens without a very sober feeling of commitment -- unwavering commitment -- to make damn sure that the United States of America is protected from the evils of the world."

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Friday

10/10/2025

Mostly Clear

-° / 57°

3%

Saturday

10/11/2025

Clear

73° / 51°

2%

Sunday

10/12/2025

Clear

75° / 51°

1%

Monday

10/13/2025

Showers Late

73° / 55°

55%

Tuesday

10/14/2025

Showers Early

63° / 53°

51%

Wednesday

10/15/2025

Mostly Clear

64° / 51°

13%

Thursday

10/16/2025

Mostly Clear

69° / 51°

5%

Friday

10/17/2025

Mostly Clear

71° / 54°

4%