Major Controversies Surrounding Elizabeth Warren: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Elizabeth Warren.

Elizabeth Warren is a prominent American politician and the senior U.S. Senator from Massachusetts since 2013. As a Democrat known for her progressive views, she champions consumer protection, economic equality, and social welfare programs. Warren gained national attention as a 2020 presidential candidate, where she advocated for significant reforms. Before entering politics, she was a distinguished law professor specializing in bankruptcy. Her policy proposals and advocacy have positioned her as a leading voice in contemporary American political discourse, particularly on issues of economic fairness and corporate accountability.

Sections (6)

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

1986: Warren identified her race as 'American Indian' on a State Bar of Texas form

In 1986, Elizabeth Warren identified her race as "American Indian" on a State Bar of Texas write-in form used for statistical information gathering.

1995: Harvard Law School lists Warren as Native American

From 1995 to 2004, Elizabeth Warren's employer, Harvard Law School, listed her as a Native American in its federal affirmative action forms; Warren later said she was unaware of this.

2004: Harvard Law School lists Warren as Native American

From 1995 to 2004, Elizabeth Warren's employer, Harvard Law School, listed her as a Native American in its federal affirmative action forms; Warren later said she was unaware of this.

2012: Scott Brown speculates Warren fabricated Native ancestry

During Elizabeth Warren's first Senate race in 2012, her opponent, Scott Brown, speculated that she had fabricated Native ancestry to gain an advantage in the employment market and used Warren's ancestry in several attack ads.

2016: Foreign government attacked election

In April 2019, after reading the Mueller report, Elizabeth Warren called on the House of Representatives to begin impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump, asserting that he welcomed help from a hostile foreign government during the 2016 election and obstructed the investigation into that attack.

July 2018: Trump promises donation for DNA test result

At a July 2018 Montana rally, President Donald Trump promised that if he debated Elizabeth Warren, he would pay $1 million to her favorite charity if she took a DNA test and "it shows you're an Indian".

October 2018: Warren releases DNA test analysis

In October 2018, Elizabeth Warren released an analysis of a DNA test by geneticist Carlos D. Bustamante that found her ancestry to be mostly European but "strongly support[ed] the existence of an unadmixed Native American ancestor".

2018: Boston Globe investigates Warren's claim to Native American ethnicity

A 2018 Boston Globe investigation found that Elizabeth Warren's reported ethnicity played no role in her rise in the academic legal profession.

2018: Warren calls for abolishing ICE

In 2018, Elizabeth Warren called for abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to her criticism of Trump's immigration policies.

January 2019: Warren discusses DNA testing in Iowa

During a January 2019 public appearance in Sioux City, Iowa, Elizabeth Warren responded to a question about her DNA testing, clarifying that she is not a person of color or a citizen of a tribe and that tribal citizenship is determined by tribes, not DNA tests.

January 2019: Warren criticizes Trump's decision to withdraw troops from Syria and Afghanistan

In January 2019, Elizabeth Warren criticized Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan, arguing that such withdrawals should be part of a coordinated plan with U.S. allies.

February 2019: Warren apologizes for identifying as Native American

In February 2019, Elizabeth Warren apologized for having identified as Native American.

April 2019: Warren calls for impeachment proceedings against Trump

August 2019: Warren apologizes before Native American Forum

In August 2019, Elizabeth Warren apologized again before a Native American Forum in Iowa for causing confusion over issues of tribal sovereignty and citizenship.

2019: Politico Article on Warren's Political Views

In 2019, Politico reported that a close high-school friend described Elizabeth Warren as a "diehard conservative" in high school, and colleagues noted changes in her political views over time.