Major Controversies Surrounding Maxine Waters: A Detailed Timeline
Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Maxine Waters.
Maxine Waters is an American politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for California's 43rd congressional district since 1991. Her district encompasses a significant portion of southern Los Angeles and includes parts of Gardena, Inglewood, and Torrance. She previously represented the 29th and 35th districts. Waters is known for her outspoken political views and activism.
July 1992: Waters Calls President Bush a Racist
In July 1992, Maxine Waters called President George H. W. Bush "a racist" who "polarized the races in this country".
1996: Called for CIA Crack Allegations Investigation
In 1996, after a San Jose Mercury News article alleged CIA complicity in the Los Angeles crack epidemic, Maxine Waters called for an investigation.
2004: Death of Gary Webb
In 2004, Gary Webb, the author of the original story, was found dead with two bullet holes in his head, declared a suicide.
2004: Allegations of Relatives Profiting from Waters' Connections
In 2004, the Los Angeles Times reported that Maxine Waters's relatives had made over $1 million in the preceding eight years by doing business with entities that Waters had helped.
2005: Named to List of Corrupt Members of Congress
In 2005, Liberal watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington named Maxine Waters to its list of corrupt members of Congress.
2005: Secretly met with Farrakhan
In 2005, Maxine Waters along with other members of the Congressional Black Caucus secretly met with Louis Farrakhan.
2006: Named to List of Corrupt Members of Congress
In 2006, Liberal watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington named Maxine Waters to its list of corrupt members of Congress.
2006: Involved in King Drew Medical Center Debate
In 2006, Maxine Waters was involved in the debate over King Drew Medical Center, criticizing media coverage and challenging the license renewal for KTLA-TV.
September 2008: Arranged Meetings for OneUnited Bank
In September 2008, Maxine Waters arranged meetings between U.S. Treasury Department officials and OneUnited Bank, where her husband was a stockholder and former director, to seek federal aid.
June 2009: Named Porker of the Month
In June 2009, Citizens Against Government Waste named Maxine Waters the Porker of the Month due to her intention to obtain an earmark for the Maxine Waters Employment Preparation Center.
2009: Confrontation over Earmark
In 2009, Maxine Waters had a confrontation with Representative Dave Obey over an earmark for a public school employment training center in Los Angeles named after her.
2010: Charged with Ethics Violations
In 2010, Maxine Waters was charged with violations of the House's ethics rules related to her efforts to help OneUnited Bank receive federal aid.
August 2011: Waters Criticizes Obama's Support for Black Community
In August 2011, Maxine Waters criticized President Barack Obama for being insufficiently supportive of the black community, citing the high unemployment rate.
August 20, 2011: Waters Criticizes Tea Party Movement
On August 20, 2011, Maxine Waters criticized the Tea Party movement, stating, "the 'tea party' can go straight to Hell ... and I intend to help them get there."
October 2011: Public Dispute with Obama
In October 2011, Maxine Waters had a public dispute with President Obama, arguing he focused more on swing voters than black voters.
2011: Named to List of Corrupt Members of Congress
In 2011, Liberal watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington named Maxine Waters to its list of corrupt members of Congress.
2011: Voted Against National Defense Authorization Act
In 2011, Maxine Waters voted against the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 due to concerns over indefinite detention provisions.
August 12, 2017: Waters Links Trump to Charlottesville Violence
On August 12, 2017, Maxine Waters linked President Trump to the violence at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, stating that the White House was "now the White Supremacists' House".
June 23, 2018: Waters Urges Harassment of Trump Officials
On June 23, 2018, Maxine Waters urged attendees at a Los Angeles rally to harass Trump administration officials after Sarah Huckabee Sanders was denied service at a restaurant.
2018: Called on to Resign
In early 2018, Maxine Waters was among the members of Congress the Republican Jewish Coalition called on to resign due to their connections with Louis Farrakhan.
April 17, 2021: Waters' Comments on Daunte Wright Protests
On April 17, 2021, Maxine Waters made controversial comments while attending protests over the killing of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, addressing the protests and the Derek Chauvin trial.
April 19, 2021: Judge Criticizes Waters' Comments in Chauvin Trial
On April 19, 2021, the judge in the Derek Chauvin trial criticized Maxine Waters' comments as "abhorrent" and disrespectful to the rule of law, denying a mistrial request but noting potential grounds for appeal.
