Major Controversies Surrounding Rick Perry: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Rick Perry—discover key moments of controversy.

James Richard "Rick" Perry is an American politician notable for serving as the 14th United States Secretary of Energy (2017-2019) under President Donald Trump. Prior to this federal role, he was the 47th Governor of Texas, holding office from 2000 to 2015, making him the longest-serving governor in Texas history. Perry also sought the Republican nomination for President of the United States in both 2012 and 2016, though he was ultimately unsuccessful in securing the nomination.

Sections (5)

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

1987: Voted for Tax Increase

In 1987, Rick Perry, then a Democratic state representative, voted for a $5.7 billion tax increase proposed by Republican Governor Bill Clements.

April 1993: Supported Healthcare Reform

In April 1993, Rick Perry expressed support for healthcare reform while serving as Texas Agriculture Commissioner.

1993: Conviction of Aides

In 1993, three aides in Jim Hightower's office were convicted of using public funds for political fundraising.

June 2001: Veto of ban on execution of mentally retarded inmates

In June 2001, Rick Perry vetoed a ban on the execution of mentally retarded inmates.

2001: Increased State Debt

By 2001, state debt was recorded at $13.4 billion.

2001: Political Action Committee Contributions

Since 2001, Merck's political action committee has contributed $28,500 to Rick Perry's campaigns.

2002: Tax Views

In 2002, Perry refused to promise not to raise taxes as governor, and in the following years did propose or approve various tax and debt increases.

2002: Description of Texas Same-Sex Anti-Sodomy Law

In 2002, Rick Perry described the Texas same-sex anti-sodomy law as "appropriate."

2003: Created Texas Enterprise Fund

In 2003, Rick Perry signed legislation creating the Texas Enterprise Fund, which has since given $435 million in grants to businesses.

2003: Began borrowing money

In 2003, Texas began borrowing money to pay for roads.

2004: Refusal to grant stay of execution in Willingham case

In 2004, Rick Perry refused to grant a stay of execution in the case of Cameron Todd Willingham, even though an investigation determined parts of the original investigation may not have looked at all of the evidence correctly.

2005: Commented on Healthcare Support

In 2005, Rick Perry stated he had supported the healthcare reform effort to get President Clinton to pay more attention to rural healthcare.

2005: Support of Texas Proposition 2

In 2005, Rick Perry supported Texas Proposition 2, a ballot proposition that amended the Texas constitution by defining marriage as "only a union between a man and a woman" and prohibiting the state from creating or recognizing "any legal status identical or similar to marriage."

February 2007: Executive order mandating HPV vaccine

In February 2007, Rick Perry issued an executive order mandating that Texas girls receive the HPV vaccine, which protects against some strains of the human papilloma virus. News outlets reported financial connections between Perry and Merck, the vaccine's manufacturer.

May 2007: Texas Legislature undoes HPV vaccine order

In May 2007, the Texas Legislature passed a bill undoing Perry's executive order mandating the HPV vaccine. Perry did not veto the bill, blaming lawmakers for future cervical cancer deaths in Texas.

2008: Comparison of homosexuality to alcoholism in "On My Honor"

In his first book, On My Honor, published in 2008, Rick Perry compared homosexuality to alcoholism and suggested gays should choose abstinence, creating controversy and drawing criticism from LGBT rights groups.

2009: Defense of Willingham execution and replacement of Science Commission members

In 2009, Rick Perry defended the execution of Cameron Todd Willingham, calling him a "monster" who murdered his children, and later replaced the chairman and other members of the Texas Forensic Science Commission prior to a meeting on the case.

October 2010: Federal Borrowing

In October 2010, Texas federal borrowing topped $1.6 billion before the bond sales.

2010: Reference to Lawrence decision in book

In his 2010 book, Rick Perry referenced the Lawrence decision, writing "Texans have a different view of the world than do the nine oligarchs in robes."

June 2011: Proclamation of Day of Prayer and Fasting

In June 2011, Rick Perry proclaimed August 6 as a Day of Prayer and Fasting and invited other governors to a prayer meeting hosted by the American Family Association in Houston. The event was criticized for being used as a launching pad for Perry's presidential campaign.

December 2011: Opposed Abortions

In December 2011, Rick Perry initially said he opposed abortions, even in cases of rape and incest, but clarified the next day that he would allow an exception to save a mother's life.

2011: Admission of not knowing about the Lawrence decision

In 2011, Rick Perry admitted that he did not know about the Lawrence decision, stating he didn't need a federal law case to explain his position on traditional marriage.

2011: Response to New York legalizing same-sex marriage

In 2011, after New York legalized same-sex marriage, Rick Perry said it was their right to do so under the principle of states' rights in the Tenth Amendment. A spokesman later reiterated Perry's support for a federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

2011: Statement on innocence of executed inmates

In 2011, during a televised debate for presidential candidates, Rick Perry said he had "never struggled" with the question of the possible innocence of any of the 234 inmates executed to date while he was governor.

2011: Increased State Debt

In 2011, the state debt increased to $37.8 billion.

2011: Campaign ad criticizing repeal of "don't ask, don't tell"

In a 2011 campaign ad, Rick Perry stated "there's something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military" and later defended the ad, adding that using foreign aid as a policy tool against foreign countries that violate the human rights of homosexuals was "not in America's interests" and was part of a "war on traditional American values".

2012: Projected State Debt

By the end of 2012, it was projected that Texas would owe $17.3 billion for roads.

2012: Criticism of repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" policy

During the 2012 presidential campaign, Rick Perry criticized the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy for the U.S. military.

2013: Call for Boy Scouts to continue ban on homosexuality

In 2013, Rick Perry, an Eagle Scout, called on the Boy Scouts to continue their ban on homosexuality.

August 15, 2014: Indictment by Travis County grand jury

On August 15, 2014, Rick Perry was indicted by a Travis County grand jury for abuse of official capacity and coercion of a public servant related to threatening to veto funding for the Public Integrity Unit and seeking the resignation of District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg.

2015: Condemnation of Obergefell v. Hodges ruling

In 2015, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples, Rick Perry condemned the decision, expressing his belief in traditional marriage and the 10th Amendment.

July 2017: Perry Supports Ban on Transgender People in Military

In July 2017, Rick Perry voiced his strong support for Donald Trump's ban on transgender individuals serving in the U.S. military. He stated concerns about the financial implications of sex reassignment surgeries.

November 2017: Perry Links Fossil Fuels to Reducing Sexual Assault in Africa

In November 2017, Rick Perry suggested that using fossil fuels to provide lighting in dangerous areas of Africa could reduce sexual assault. He stated that light would shine righteousness on those types of acts. This statement drew criticism from the Sierra Club.

May 2019: Ukraine Awards Contract to Perry's Supporters

In May 2019, a little more than a month after Rick Perry attended Zelenskyy's inauguration, Ukraine awarded a contract to Perry's supporters after Perry recommended one of them to be Zelenskyy's energy adviser. The recommendation occurred as Zelenskyy sought nearly $400 million in U.S. military aid.

July 25, 2019: Trump-Zelenskyy Telephone Call

On July 25, 2019, a telephone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy led to a whistleblower complaint and an impeachment inquiry against Trump. Trump later claimed the call was at Perry's urging, to discuss energy security. However, the publicly released memo focused on Trump's requests for investigations into Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, Crowdstrike, and the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

October 2019: Perry's Alleged Plan to Replace Naftogaz Board Member

In October 2019, former U.S. officials mentioned Rick Perry in relation to reports that he planned to have Amos Hochstein replaced as a member of the board at Naftogaz with someone aligned with Republican interests. Perry denied these reports.

November 2019: Sondland and Holmes Testify Perry Played Senior Role in Ukraine Campaign

In November 2019, Gordon Sondland and David Holmes testified that Rick Perry played a senior role in the Ukraine campaign, describing Perry, along with Sondland and Volker, as one of the "Three Amigos" assisting Trump and Giuliani.