Major Controversies Surrounding Bernie Sanders: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Bernie Sanders.

Bernard "Bernie" Sanders is a prominent American politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Vermont. As the longest-serving independent in U.S. congressional history, he has maintained a close relationship with the Democratic Party, caucusing with them in both the House and Senate. He ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in both 2016 and 2020. Sanders is widely considered a leading figure in the modern American progressive movement, advocating for policies such as Medicare for All, free college tuition, and a higher minimum wage.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1963: Attended March on Washington and arrested during demonstration

In 1963, Sanders attended the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Martin Luther King Jr. gave the "I Have a Dream" speech. That summer, Sanders was also fined $25 for resisting arrest during a demonstration in Englewood against segregation in Chicago's public schools.

1990: NRA Opposition to Peter Smith

In 1990, Sanders's bid to become a U.S. Representative benefitted from the National Rifle Association of America opposing the competing campaign of Peter Smith.

1991: Voted against the resolutions authorizing the use of force against Iraq

In 1991, Sanders voted against the resolutions authorizing the use of force against Iraq.

1993: Voted against the Brady Bill

In 1993, Sanders voted against the Brady Bill, which mandated federal background checks for gun purchases and imposed a waiting period. He explained his Vermont constituents saw waiting-period mandates as more appropriately a state than federal matter.

1993: Vote Against Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act

In 1993, while a U.S. representative, Sanders voted against the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which established background checks and wait periods.

1994: Vote for Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act

In 1994, Sanders voted for the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act due to the inclusion of the Violence Against Women Act and the ban on certain assault weapons, though he criticized other parts of the bill.

1996: Voted against bill on police purchasing

In 1996, Sanders voted against a bill that would have prohibited police from purchasing tanks and armored carriers.

1996: Vote Against CDC Gun Research Funding

In 1996, Sanders voted against additional funding to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for research on issues related to firearms.

1998: Voted for bill on minimum sentencing

In 1998, Sanders voted for a bill that would have increased minimum sentencing for possessing a gun while committing a federal crime to ten years in prison, including nonviolent crimes such as marijuana possession.

1999: Advocated against rolling back the Glass–Steagall legislation

In 1999, Sanders voted and advocated against rolling back the Glass–Steagall legislation provisions that kept investment banks and commercial banks separate entities.

2002: Voted against the resolutions authorizing the use of force against Iraq

In 2002, Sanders voted against the resolutions authorizing the use of force against Iraq.

June 2003: Criticism of Alan Greenspan

In June 2003, Sanders criticized Federal Reserve chair Alan Greenspan, stating he was concerned that Greenspan was "way out of touch" and primarily representing the wealthy and large corporations.

2003: Opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Sanders opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

February 2005: Introduced bill to withdraw PNTR status from China

In February 2005, Sanders introduced a bill that would have withdrawn the permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status that had been extended to China in October 2000. The bill did not pass.

June 2005: Proposed amendment to limit Patriot Act provisions

In June 2005, Sanders proposed an amendment to limit Patriot Act provisions that allowed the government to obtain individuals' library and book-buying records. The amendment passed the House by a bipartisan majority but was later removed.

2005: Vote For Gun Manufacturer Immunity

In 2005, Bernie Sanders voted for legislation that gave gun manufacturers legal immunity against claims of negligence.

2005: Voted for the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act

In 2005, Sanders voted for the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which aimed to prevent firearms manufacturers and dealers from being held liable for negligence when crimes are committed with their products.

2007: Immigration Reform Bill Opposition

In 2007, Bernie Sanders helped kill a bill introducing comprehensive immigration reform, arguing that its guest-worker program would depress wages for American workers.

2008: Voted against the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP)

In 2008, Sanders voted against the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), which aimed to purchase toxic banking assets and provide loans to banks in free-fall.

December 10, 2010: Filibuster against the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010

On December 10, 2010, Sanders delivered an 8-hour and 34-minute speech against the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, arguing it would favor the wealthiest Americans.

2014: Criticism of Israel's Actions During Gaza War

In 2014, Bernie Sanders criticized Israel's actions during the Gaza war and U.S. involvement in the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen.

May 2015: DNC announces debate schedule, criticized for favoring Clinton

In May 2015, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced a schedule of six debates. This schedule was criticized for the small number of debates and the timing, which critics alleged was designed to protect Hillary Clinton.

September 2015: The New York Times coverage of Sanders campaign reviewed

In September 2015, The New York Times' ombudsman reviewed the paper's coverage of the Sanders campaign, finding it had not always been taken seriously, with some stories being dismissive. The review also found that coverage of Sanders's campaign was much scanter than coverage of Trump's.

November 15, 2015: Response to ISIL Attacks in Paris

On November 15, 2015, in response to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)'s attacks in Paris, Sanders cautioned against Islamophobia and said, "We gotta be tough, not stupid" in the war against ISIL, advocating for continued acceptance of Syrian refugees.

December 2015: Report finds major networks favored Trump over Sanders

A December 2015 report found that major networks CBS, NBC, and ABC spent 234 minutes reporting on Trump, compared to 10 minutes on Sanders, despite similar polling results, indicating a significant disparity in media coverage.

March 2016: Sanders' speech not broadcast on Super Tuesday III

On March 15, 2016, Amy Goodman noted that while speeches of Trump, Clinton, Rubio, and Cruz were broadcast in full, Sanders' speech in Phoenix, Arizona, was not mentioned, despite the rally being larger than the others.

July 2016: DNC emails leak, showing officials favored Clinton over Sanders

In July 2016, a leak of the Democratic National Committee's emails revealed DNC officials favoring Clinton over Sanders, discussing his irreligious tendencies and questioning his party loyalty. Sanders responded, calling it an outrage.

July 2016: DNC Emails Leaked

In June and July 2016, Democratic National Committee (DNC) emails leaked to the public showed that the committee leadership had favored Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders and had worked to help Clinton win the nomination.

2016: Support for Repealing Gun Manufacturer Immunity

As of 2016, Sanders has said that he would support repealing the law that gave gun manufacturers legal immunity against claims of negligence.

2016: Criticism of Russian Interference

During his September 2017 speech at Westminster College, Sanders spoke critically of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections and President Trump's handling of the crisis.

2016: Sanders campaign volunteer reported suspicious activities to PAC

In 2016 a Sanders campaign volunteer contacted a political action committee (PAC) that supported the Clinton campaign to report suspicious activities.

May 4, 2017: Sanders predicts deaths from Affordable Care Act repeal

On May 4, 2017, in response to the House vote to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, Bernie Sanders predicted "thousands of Americans would die" from no longer having access to health care.

June 12, 2017: Voted against legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia and Iran

On June 12, 2017, Sanders, along with Rand Paul, voted against legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia and Iran, due to concerns the sanctions could endanger the Iran nuclear deal, while supporting sanctions on Russia.

February 2018: Mueller investigation concludes Russians communicated false information

In February 2018, Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation concluded that Russians had communicated false information during the 2016 primary campaigns to help Sanders and Stein and harm Clinton. Sanders rejected the conclusion.

October 2018: Khashoggi Assassination and Yemen Bill

In October 2018, after the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, the bill sponsored by Bernie Sanders to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen attracted bipartisan support. The bill sought to invoke the 1973 War Powers Resolution.

2018: Alleged Statement to Warren

In 2018, Bernie Sanders allegedly told Elizabeth Warren that a woman could not win the election, which was brought up during the January 2020 CNN debate.

2018: Opposition to 2018 Federal Budget

In 2018, Bernie Sanders opposed the 2018 United States federal budget proposed by the Trump administration, calling it "a budget for the billionaire class."

April 6, 2019: Fox News Town Hall

On April 6, 2019, Bernie Sanders participated in a Fox News town hall, which was controversial due to the Democratic National Committee's decision to not allow Fox to host any debates. The event attracted more than 2.55 million viewers and increased Fox News viewership by 24% overall.

May 1, 2019: Tweet on China Trade Deal

On May 1, 2019, Bernie Sanders tweeted that "Since the China trade deal I voted against, America has lost over three million manufacturing jobs. It's wrong to pretend that China isn't one of our major economic competitors."

January 2020: Criticism of Soleimani Assassination

In January 2020, Sanders criticized the drone assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, calling it a dangerous escalation of tensions that could lead to an expensive war.

2020: AIPAC as a Platform for Bigotry

In 2020, Bernie Sanders called the American Israel Public Affairs Committee a platform for bigotry and stated he would not attend its conference.

2020: CNN Hosts First Debate

In January 2020, CNN hosted the first debate with six candidates remaining, during which Abby Phillip questioned Sanders and Warren about an alleged statement Sanders made in 2018.

January 6, 2021: Sanders Comments on Capitol Attack

On January 6, 2021, after Trump supporters attacked the United States Capitol, Bernie Sanders stated that Trump would "go down in history as the worst and most dangerous president in history."

2023: Criticism During Israel-Hamas War

During the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, Bernie Sanders criticized Hamas for its attacks on civilians and criticized Israel for its bombing of Gaza, later calling for a humanitarian ceasefire.

2024: Trump's Reelection in 2024

In 2024, Trump's reelection led to policies reducing taxes on corporations and capital gains, instituting a flat income tax, and cutting Medicare and Medicaid. Elon Musk's formation of DOGE, as well as the enactment of Project 2025, were seen as myopic and unconstitutional by some.