Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Nikki Haley
A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Nikki Haley.
Nikki Haley is an American politician and diplomat. She served as the 116th governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017 and as the 29th U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 to 2018. As a Republican, she is the first Indian American to serve in a presidential cabinet. Notably, she was a candidate in the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries, marking her continued involvement in national politics.
2009: Co-sponsorship of Abortion Bill
In 2009, Nikki Haley co-sponsored a bill mandating a 24-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions after an ultrasound.
2010: Campaign for Governor
In 2010, Nikki Haley failing to report donor addresses during her campaign for governor.
June 2011: Signing of Immigration Law
In June 2011, Nikki Haley signed an "Arizona-style" immigration law as governor of South Carolina.
July 2013: Ethics Commission Fine
In July 2013, Nikki Haley was fined $3,500 by the State Ethics Commission and given a "public warning" for failing to report donor addresses during her 2010 campaign.
June 2015: Confederate Flag Controversy
Before June 2015, Nikki Haley supported flying the Confederate flag on the statehouse grounds, but later called for its removal following the Charleston church shooting.
July 2015: Haley signs bill to remove Confederate flag
In July 2015, Nikki Haley signed a bill authorizing the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina Capitol grounds.
April 2016: Haley opposes anti-transgender "bathroom bill"
In April 2016, Nikki Haley opposed an anti-transgender "bathroom bill" in South Carolina, deeming it unnecessary and unlikely to solve any state problems.
June 2016: Haley Warns Trump's Rhetoric Could Lead to Violence
In June 2016, on the one-year anniversary of the Emanuel AME Church shooting, Nikki Haley warned that Trump's rhetoric could lead to violent tragedy. She received extensive press coverage for saying "bless your heart" in response to an attack by Trump.
2016: Re-signing Abortion Ban
In 2016, as governor, Nikki Haley re-signed a new state law that bans abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy.
March 15, 2017: Haley says she wouldn't support a Muslim ban
On March 15, 2017, Nikki Haley stated that she would not support a ban on Muslim immigration to the U.S., should President Trump choose to enact one, arguing it would be "un-American."
March 30, 2017: Haley states US will no longer focus on Assad leaving power
On March 30, 2017, Nikki Haley stated that the U.S. would no longer focus on forcing Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to leave power, marking a policy shift from the Obama administration.
April 2017: Haley speaks out against persecution of gay men in Chechnya
In April 2017, Nikki Haley spoke out against Ramzan Kadyrov amid the murders and persecution of gay men in Chechnya, emphasizing that such human rights violations could not be ignored.
April 2017: Haley accuses Iran and Hezbollah of terrorist acts
In April 2017, during her first session as president of the UN Security Council, Nikki Haley accused Iran and Hezbollah of having "conducted terrorist acts" for decades within the Middle East.
May 14, 2017: Haley comments on North Korea's missile test
On May 14, 2017, after North Korea performed a ballistic missile test, Nikki Haley said that Kim Jong-un was "in a state of paranoia" after feeling pressure from the U.S.
June 2, 2017: Haley comments on UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea
On June 2, 2017, after the U.N. Security Council approved a resolution adding fifteen North Koreans and four entities linked to North Korea's nuclear and missile programs to a sanctions blacklist, Nikki Haley said the council's vote was "sending a clear message to North Korea today: Stop firing ballistic missiles or face the consequences"
June 2017: Haley violates the Hatch Act
In June 2017, Nikki Haley violated the Hatch Act by retweeting Trump's endorsement of Ralph Norman.
July 5, 2017: Haley announces US resolution regarding North Korea
On July 5, 2017, during a U.N. Security Council meeting, Nikki Haley announced the US would within days "bring before the Security Council a resolution that raises the international response in a way that is proportionate to North Korea's new escalation" after North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile.
July 2017: Haley responds to UNESCO vote on Hebron
In July 2017, after UNESCO voted to designate Hebron's Old City and the Cave of the Patriarchs as Palestinian territory, Nikki Haley called the decision "tragic on several levels."
September 2017: Haley expresses concern over Rohingya atrocities in Myanmar
In September 2017, Nikki Haley said that her government was "deeply troubled" by reports of atrocities against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
October 2017: US votes against UN resolution condemning death penalty
In October 2017, the U.S., along with 13 other nations, voted against a U.N. Human Rights Council resolution that condemned the use of capital punishment when "applied arbitrarily or in a discriminatory manner".
October 2017: Haley reprimanded for Hatch Act violation
In October 2017, the federal Office of Special Counsel determined that Nikki Haley had violated the federal Hatch Act in June 2017 by retweeting Trump's endorsement of Ralph Norman.
December 2017: Haley comments on Trump's accusers
In December 2017, Nikki Haley stated that the women who had accused President Trump of touching or groping them without their consent "should be heard, and should be dealt with".
December 2017: Haley warns UN members on Jerusalem vote
In December 2017, Nikki Haley warned UN members that she would be "taking names" of countries that voted to reject Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. embassy there.
June 19, 2018: US pulls out of UN Human Rights Council
On June 19, 2018, Nikki Haley and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. was pulling out of the United Nations Human Rights Council, citing its "hypocritical and self-serving" nature and "chronic anti-Israel bias."
October 2018: Haley Raises Issue of Uyghur Muslim Minority Re-Education Camps
In October 2018, Nikki Haley brought up the issue of China's re-education camps and human rights abuses against the Uyghur Muslim minority, stating that at least a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been imprisoned and subjected to torture and forced renunciation of their religion.
2018: Ethics Accusations Arise After Haley's Resignation
In 2018, after Haley's resignation as U.N. ambassador was announced, CREW accused her of accepting luxury private plane trips as gifts, which she listed on a financial disclosure, claiming they were not ethics violations. Other theories include her college-age children, family finances, and intention to take a break, which Haley conveyed to Trump six months before she resigned.
2018: Defense of Trump adminstration's withdrawal of the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal
In 2018, as U.S. ambassador, a defining aspect of Nikki Haley's tenure included her defense of the Trump administration's withdrawal of the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal.
March 2019: Haley Critiques Bernie Sanders' Healthcare Comparison
In March 2019, Nikki Haley criticized Senator Bernie Sanders for comparing healthcare costs in Finland and the U.S., arguing that comparing the U.S. to Finland is ridiculous.
November 2019: Haley Criticizes Trump's First Impeachment
In November 2019, Nikki Haley criticized Trump's first impeachment, comparing it to a "death penalty" and questioning the grounds for impeachment.
December 2019: Haley defends South Carolina residents regarding Confederate flag views
In December 2019, Nikki Haley defended South Carolina residents who viewed the Confederate flag as a symbol of "service and sacrifice and heritage" before it was "hijacked" by Dylann Roof.
January 2020: Haley Supports Killing of Qasem Soleimani
In January 2020, Nikki Haley supported Trump's killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and falsely claimed that Democrats were mourning his loss.
January 8, 2021: Haley Condemns Twitter's Suspension of Trump
On January 8, 2021, Nikki Haley condemned Twitter's decision to suspend Trump from its platform after the Capitol riots, comparing the suspension to Chinese censorship.
January 12, 2021: Haley Acknowledges Trump's Disappointment
On January 12, 2021, Nikki Haley said, "We need to acknowledge he let us down. He went down a path he shouldn't have, and we shouldn't have followed him, and we shouldn't have listened to him. And we can't let that ever happen again."
February 2021: Haley Describes Relationship with Trump as Loose
In February 2021, when asked whether Trump was a friend, Nikki Haley replied, "Friend is a loose term." She has been critical of Trump's role during the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, saying that she was angry that Trump took no action to protect Vice President Pence.
2021: Haley's Reaction to the Capitol Storming and Trump's Second Impeachment
In 2021, Haley called Trump's actions around the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol "not his finest," but opposed Trump's second impeachment, criticizing Democrats and journalists.
2021: Haley speaks against Executive Order 13988
In 2021, Nikki Haley spoke against Executive Order 13988, which was related to preventing discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
February 2023: Haley Supports Congressional Term Limits and Mental Competence Tests for Politicians Over 75
In February 2023, Nikki Haley announced her support for congressional term limits and "mandatory mental competence tests for politicians over 75 years old", a proposal which received mixed reactions from U.S. senators.
February 2023: Haley Vows to Cut Foreign Aid to "Enemies" of the US
In February 2023, Nikki Haley pledged to "cut every cent in foreign aid for countries" deemed "enemies" of the United States in an op-ed published by the New York Post.
February 2023: Haley Calls for Extension of Florida Parental Rights in Education Act
In February 2023, Nikki Haley suggested extending Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, which restricts classroom discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity, from third grade through seventh grade, and requiring parental consent for any discussions about sex and sexuality.
February 2023: Haley Supports 15-Week Abortion Ban Proposal
In February 2023, Nikki Haley voiced her support for Senator Lindsey Graham's proposal for a national 15-week abortion ban, which included exceptions for rape, incest, and the life and health of the mother, believing it could achieve a "national consensus".
May 2023: Haley Pledges to Sign Federal Abortion Ban
In May 2023, Nikki Haley promised to sign a federal abortion ban if elected, without specifying the duration of the ban.
June 2023: Haley Attacks Trump and DeSantis on Ukraine Positions
In June 2023, Nikki Haley criticized Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis for their stances on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, while also stating that President Biden had not done enough, without specifying her own alternative approach.
August 2023: Haley Addresses Trump's Indictments and Potential Nomination
During a debate in August 2023, Nikki Haley stated she would support Donald Trump as the Republican nominee, even if he was convicted of crimes, while also expressing concerns about his indictments for keeping classified documents.
August 2023: Haley Refuses to Directly State Position on Federal Abortion Ban
During an August 2023 primary debate, Nikki Haley declined to directly state whether she supports a federal abortion ban, while affirming her support for promoting access to contraception.
December 2023: Haley Calls for Elimination of Hamas and Tougher Approach to Iran
In December 2023, Nikki Haley rejected calls for a ceasefire in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, advocating for the elimination of Hamas and a tougher stance on Iran, suggesting that Palestinian refugees from Gaza should be accepted by countries sympathetic to Hamas.
December 27, 2023: Haley Addresses the Origins of the American Civil War
On December 27, 2023, at a town hall in Berlin, New Hampshire, Nikki Haley stated that the cause of the Civil War was "basically how government was going to run" and "the freedoms and what people could and couldn't do," omitting the role of slavery.
2023: Trump and DeSantis Campaigns Criticize Haley
In 2023, Donald Trump nicknamed Nikki Haley "birdbrain" and criticized her for opposing his presidential nomination bid, while DeSantis's campaign labeled her an establishment candidate and a liberal darling after she received a donation from a Democratic donor.
January 16, 2024: Haley States 'The US has never been a racist country.'
On January 16, 2024, Nikki Haley stated, "The US has never been a racist country."
2024: Haley's Role in Boeing Initiative
Following the 2024 grounding of the Boeing 737 Max-9, the Lever reported that Haley, while at Boeing, helped kill an initiative that would have forced the company to "more comprehensively disclose its spending to influence politicians and safety regulators."
