Rep. Maxine Waters, an 86-year-old Democrat from Los Angeles, has long been a polarizing figure in Congress due to her fiery rhetoric and controversial stances on social and political issues. Her recent actions during the ongoing illegal immigration riots in California have once again placed her in the spotlight, drawing accusations from federal authorities and sparking debates about the role of political figures in societal unrest. This comes as her congressional career has been marked by a series of high-profile clashes and statements that have been interpreted by critics as inciting violence or undermining trust in institutions.
During the 1992 Los Angeles riots, which erupted after the acquittal of officers involved in the beating of Black motorist Rodney King, Waters was one of the prominent voices in the community. At the time, she reportedly dismissed the violence as ‘just a bunch of crazy people who went out and did bad things for no reason.’ This remark was widely seen as an underestimation of the systemic anger that fueled the riots, and it has since been cited by critics as an example of her tendency to minimize the severity of such events. In a widely quoted statement, she described the unrest as ‘somewhat understandable, if not acceptable,’ and even referred to it as ‘a rebellion.’ This framing has continued to be a focal point in assessments of her behavior and influence over the years.
More recently, Waters faced backlash for her confrontational behavior with National Guardsmen during the California riots. She reportedly approached the guards as they entered the Metropolitan Detention Center, attempting to gain their attention and questioning their actions. Despite the guards’ instructions to contact public affairs, she was turned away, and she later seemed to taunt the officers by asking if they planned to shoot her. The incident drew criticism from Homeland Security, which stated that instead of ‘taunting’ the guards, she should have been working to ‘assuage the unrest.’ This incident has once again highlighted the perception that her rhetoric and actions may contribute to, rather than mitigate, social tensions.
Waters’ history of polarizing statements is not limited to the Rodney King riots. During a 2007 anti-war protest, she publicly declared her defiance of then-President George W. Bush and vowed to ‘get rid of’ Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Her comments on an LGBTQ gala, where she said ‘I will go and take out Trump tonight,’ have also been a point of contention, with supporters arguing she was speaking metaphorically. However, critics like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., have accused her of inciting violence and attempting to destabilize the political order. Greene attempted to have Waters expelled from Congress in 2021 for her past remarks, but Waters has consistently defended her statements, stating they were taken out of context.
Despite the controversies, Waters has largely maintained her political base, securing re-election with typically 70% of the vote. Her supporters argue that her actions and rhetoric are a reflection of her deep commitment to social justice and political activism. The ongoing debate over her role in social unrest and her impact on public discourse underscores the broader tensions surrounding political influence and the responsibilities of elected officials in times of crisis.