Major Controversies Surrounding Ben Sasse: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Ben Sasse—discover key moments of controversy.

Ben Sasse is an American politician and academic. He served as a Republican U.S. Senator for Nebraska from 2015 to 2023. Sasse resigned from the Senate to become the president of the University of Florida. He is known for his conservative views and has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump, notably voting to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2009: Authored Health-Care Reform article

In 2009, Ben Sasse authored a Bloomberg Businessweek article titled "Health-Care Reform: The Rush to Pass a Bad Bill".

2010: Gave speech about ACA repeal

In 2010, Ben Sasse gave a speech in which he said Republicans would probably lack the votes to repeal the ACA and had staged symbolic repeal votes.

2016: Sasse announced he would not support Trump

In early 2016, Ben Sasse announced he would not support Donald Trump if he became the Republican nominee for president. Sasse questioned Trump's commitment to the U.S. Constitution and suggested he might leave the Republican Party if it became the party of Trump.

September 2017: Consideration of leaving the GOP

In September 2017, Ben Sasse stated he thought about leaving the GOP "every morning" and considered himself "an independent conservative who caucuses with the Republicans". He also criticized Trump's policies, calling him a "megalomaniac strongman" and describing his trade war with China as "nuts".

March 2018: Criticism of Trump's congratulations to Putin

In March 2018, Ben Sasse criticized Donald Trump for congratulating Vladimir Putin on his election victory. Sasse stated that it was wrong for the President to congratulate Putin and for the White House to avoid answering whether Putin's reelection was free and fair.

2018: Reactions to Sasse's third-party suggestion

In 2018, following Ben Sasse's suggestion of a third-party candidate, Donald Trump called it "the work of a loser." Several Nebraska Republican politicians, including State Senators Bob Krist and Beau McCoy and U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, criticized Sasse's statements.

February 5, 2020: Voted to acquit Trump

On February 5, 2020, Ben Sasse joined almost all Republican senators in voting to acquit Donald Trump on both articles of impeachment during Trump's first impeachment trial.

May 2020: Attack on China over COVID-19 pandemic

In May 2020, Ben Sasse delivered a graduation speech at Fremont High School criticizing China over the COVID-19 pandemic. The remarks drew criticism from his Democratic opponent and a school board member. The school board disavowed responsibility for Sasse's comments, while Sasse's spokesperson defended them.

August 2020: Conflict with Trump over executive order

In August 2020, Ben Sasse criticized Donald Trump's executive order authorizing stimulus after Congress failed to agree on a second COVID-19 relief package, calling it "unconstitutional slop". Trump responded by calling Sasse a RINO and saying he had "gone rogue".

October 2020: Criticism of Trump at campaign town hall

In October 2020, during a campaign town hall event, Ben Sasse criticized Donald Trump for mocking evangelicals, treating the presidency like a business opportunity, and flirting with white supremacists. He also criticized Trump's foreign policy and treatment of women, expressing concern over Trump's "stupid political obsessions" and "rage tweeting".

December 2020: Response to Trump's pardons

In December 2020, Ben Sasse responded to Donald Trump's pardons of people connected to himself by saying, "This is rotten to the core."

2020: Acknowledged Biden's win and condemned Trump's efforts to overturn election results

In 2020, Ben Sasse acknowledged Joe Biden's win in the presidential election and condemned Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the election results. Sasse also criticized Senator Josh Hawley's plan to challenge the results, warning it would "disenfranchise millions of Americans".

January 6, 2021: Storming of the U.S. Capitol

On January 6, 2021, Ben Sasse was participating in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count when Donald Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. Sasse held Trump responsible for the attack.

February 13, 2021: Voted to convict Trump

On February 13, 2021, Ben Sasse joined six other Republican senators in voting to convict Donald Trump during his second impeachment trial.

February 2021: Censure by Lincoln County Republican Party

In February 2021, the Lincoln County Republican Party censured Ben Sasse for his comments about Donald Trump's impeachment. The county chair expressed regret that state law did not allow for Sasse to be recalled. Sasse responded to the Nebraska Republican Party's consideration of censure by stating, "Politics isn't about the weird worship of one dude."