Major Controversies Surrounding Bernie Sanders: A Detailed Timeline

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

Bernard Sanders is a prominent American politician, serving as the senior U.S. Senator from Vermont and the longest-serving independent in U.S. congressional history. Although independent, he closely aligns with the Democratic Party, consistently caucusing with them and twice seeking their presidential nomination. Sanders is a leading figure in the modern American progressive movement, advocating for policies aimed at social and economic equality.

Sections (7)

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

1963: Participated in the March on Washington and Arrested in Chicago

In 1963, Sanders attended the March on Washington and was fined for resisting arrest during a demonstration against segregation in Chicago.

1973: War Powers Resolution invoked

In 2018, Bernie Sanders invoked the 1973 War Powers Resolution, along with senators Chris Murphy and Mike Lee, to end US support for the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen.

1993: Voted Against the Brady Bill

In 1993, Bernie Sanders voted against the Brady Bill, which mandated federal background checks when buying guns and imposed a waiting period on firearm purchasers in the United States.

June 2003: Criticized Alan Greenspan

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

2007: Sanders helped kill immigration reform bill

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

December 10, 2010: Filibustered Tax Relief Act

On December 10, 2010, Bernie Sanders delivered an 8-hour and 34-minute speech against the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010.

May 2015: DNC Announces Debate Schedule

In May 2015, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced that there would be six debates. Critics suggested this was a deliberate attempt to protect Hillary Clinton, who was considered the front-runner.

September 2015: New York Times Coverage of Sanders Campaign Criticized

In September 2015, the New York Times' ombudsman reviewed the paper's coverage of the Sanders campaign and found that it "hasn't always taken it very seriously." The coverage was scanter than coverage of Trump's campaign at the time.

November 15, 2015: Sanders Cautions Against Islamophobia After Paris Attacks

On November 15, 2015, in response to the ISIL attacks in Paris, Bernie Sanders cautioned against Islamophobia and emphasized the need to be tough but not stupid in the war against ISIL, while also advocating for welcoming Syrian refugees.

December 2015: Major Networks Report Unequal Coverage of Candidates

In December 2015, a report found that the three major networks—CBS, NBC, and ABC—had spent 234 minutes reporting on Trump and 10 minutes on Sanders, despite their similar polling results.

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March 2016: Sanders' Speech Not Broadcast on Super Tuesday III

On March 2016, during Super Tuesday III, Amy Goodman noted that while speeches of Trump, Clinton, Rubio, and Cruz were broadcast, Sanders's speech in Phoenix, Arizona, was not, despite his rally being larger.

March 17, 2016: Support for Merrick Garland's nomination

On March 17, 2016, Sanders said he would support Merrick Garland's nomination to the Supreme Court, while also mentioning that there are more progressive judges.

July 2016: DNC emails leaked showing favor for Clinton

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

2016: Russia interfered in US elections

In 2016, Russia interfered in the US elections, which Sanders voiced concern about.

2016: Sanders Campaign Allegedly Prevented Russian Meddling

In 2016, the Sanders campaign claimed to have taken action to prevent Russian meddling in the election and alerted the Clinton campaign to suspicious activities, though it was a volunteer and not the campaign.

May 4, 2017: Affordable Care Act repeal prediction

On May 4, 2017, Sanders predicted that "thousands of Americans would die" due to lack of healthcare access following the House vote to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. PolitiFact rated his statement "mostly true."

2017: Criticized Trump and Trumpism

In 2017, Bernie Sanders criticized President Trump for appointing billionaires to his cabinet and rolling back Obama's Clean Power Plan, also promising to defeat "Trump and Trumpism and the Republican right-wing ideology".

2017: Criticized Republicans' use of reconciliation to pass 2017 tax cuts

In 2017, Bernie Sanders criticized Republicans' use of reconciliation to pass tax cuts.

January 2018: Online Reply to Trump's State of the Union Address

In January 2018, Bernie Sanders gave an online reply to Trump's State of the Union address, calling Trump "compulsively dishonest" and criticizing him for initiating "a looming immigration crisis" by ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. He also voiced concern about Russia's interference in the 2016 election.

February 2018: Mueller Investigation Concludes Russians Aided Sanders's Campaign

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

October 2018: US support for Saudi-led intervention in Yemen

In October 2018, after the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, Senator Sanders' bill to end US support for the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen attracted bipartisan support in the Senate, eventually passing by a vote of 56-41.

2018: Warren Claims Sanders Made Sexist Remark

In 2018, Elizabeth Warren allegedly claimed that Bernie Sanders told her privately that a woman could not win the election. This allegation was brought up during a CNN debate in 2020.

2018: Analysis of Media Narrative in 2016 Election

In 2018, Rachel Bitecofer wrote in her book that the Democratic primary was effectively over in terms of delegate count by mid-March 2016, but the media promoted a narrative that the contest between Sanders and Clinton was "heating up" at that time.

2018: Opposition to Trump's federal budget

In 2018, Sanders opposed the United States federal budget proposed by the Trump administration, calling it "a budget for the billionaire class" and a transfer of wealth from working families to the top 1%.

February 2019: War Powers Resolution bill passes the House

In February 2019, Senator Sanders' War Powers Resolution bill, aimed at ending US support for the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen, passed the House by a vote of 247-175.

April 6, 2019: Sanders Participates in Fox News Town Hall

On April 6, 2019, Bernie Sanders participated in a Fox News town hall, attracting over 2.55 million viewers. His appearance was controversial due to the DNC's decision not to allow Fox to host debates, but it led to a significant increase in Fox News viewers.

January 2020: Sanders Criticizes Soleimani Assassination

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

2020: Voted to Convict Trump in First Impeachment Trial

In 2020, Bernie Sanders voted to convict Trump on both articles of his first impeachment trial.

2020: Sanders and Warren Questioned at CNN Debate

In January 2020, at a CNN debate, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren were questioned about an allegation that Sanders had told Warren in 2018 that a woman could not defeat Donald Trump.

January 6, 2021: Commented on the Attack on the United States Capitol

On January 6, 2021, following the attack on the United States Capitol by Trump supporters, Bernie Sanders commented that Trump would "go down in history as the worst and most dangerous president in history".

February 23, 2021: Opposed Biden's Cabinet Pick

On February 23, 2021, Bernie Sanders opposed one of Biden's cabinet picks, voting against Tom Vilsack's confirmation as Agriculture Secretary due to concerns about Vilsack's ties to large corporations.

2021: Voted to Convict Trump in Second Impeachment Trial

In 2021, Bernie Sanders voted to convict Trump on the sole article of his second impeachment trial for inciting the Capitol attack.

2024: Trump's Reelection in 2024

In 2024, Trump's reelection and subsequent actions such as enacting Project 2025, caused consternation among Democrats.

2024: Opposed Trump's Administration

Since Donald Trump's reelection as president in 2024, Sanders has vocally opposed Trump's administration, rallying against Trump and Elon Musk.

March 2025: Sanders commends Trump on immigration policies

In a March 2025 interview, Sanders commended Trump for strengthening border immigration policies, adding, "nobody thinks illegal immigration is appropriate", while also criticizing mass deportation and calling for comprehensive immigration reform.