Rep. Lauren Boebert's troubled family life could jeopardize her future in Congress. A timeline shows her biggest controversies.

  • Rep. Lauren Boebert is known for her conservative views on everything from guns to immigration.

  • In 2020, she appeared to align herself with QAnon adherents but later said she wasn't a follower.

  • Since entering the halls of Congress, she has been embroiled in several high-profile scandals.

With an uncertain political future in a new district and tumultuous family life, Rep. Lauren Boebert has continued to make headlines just a few months into a crucial election year.

The firebrand Colorado conservative is no stranger to controversy. Here's a timeline of some of her most high-profile scandals during her time in office.

November 2020: Lauren Boebert, who had gained national prominence for her conservative views and what many saw as an embrace of QAnon, was elected to Congress.

Lauren Boebert
Lauren Boebert was widely known for her conservative views even before her election to Congress.AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File

Even before Lauren Boebert was elected to Congress in 2020, she had become a rising star in the Republican Party, with leading conservatives thrilled by her unapologetically conservative views on abortion and guns.

She became nationally known for her gun-themed restaurant, Shooters Grill, which operated from 2013 until 2022 in Rifle, Colorado, and has been a high-profile backer of former President Donald Trump.

While campaigning for the House in 2020, Boebert said she was "very familiar" with the far-right QAnon movement, The Guardian reported.

"Everything that I've heard of Q, I hope that this is real because it only means that America is getting stronger and better, and people are returning to conservative values," she said in May 2020 during an appearance on the QAnon-aligned web show SteelTruth, NPR reported.

But she later told Colorado's Fox31 News that she was "not a follower."

After winning her first race in November 2020, she exalted in her victory as part of the conservative movement.

"I am so excited to be on the front lines fighting for you each and every day and know exactly who I'm fighting for and why I'm in here," she told her supporters on election night. "It is time that the citizens rise up and do their part to serve their country."

November 2021: Boebert called Rep. Ilhan Omar a member of the "jihad squad" and implied she was a terrorist.

Ilhan Omar and Lauren Boebert walk down the Capitol steps
Reps. Ilhan Omar, left, and Lauren Boebert walk down the House steps of the Capitol.Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

A video posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, by far-right watchdog organization PatriotTakes showed Boebert at a campaign event telling a story about running into Omar in a Capitol elevator and implying that she was a suicide bomber.

Boebert said that a Capitol Police officer ran towards her with "fret all over his face." She said she then noticed Omar standing behind her in the elevator and told the police officer, "Well, she doesn't have a backpack. We should be fine."

Boebert subsequently issued an apology.

"I apologize to anyone in the Muslim community I offended with my comment about Rep. Omar," Boebert wrote on X. "I have reached out to her office to speak with her directly. There are plenty of policy differences to focus on without this unnecessary distraction."

Omar wrote on X that the encounter in the elevator never happened in the first place.

"This whole story is made up," Omar said. "Sad she thinks bigotry gets her clout. Anti-Muslim bigotry isn't funny & shouldn't be normalized. Congress can't be a place where hateful and dangerous Muslims tropes get no condemnation."

August 2022: Boebert's neighbors in Colorado called 911 after her then-husband, Jayson Boebert, was accused of running over their mailbox during a dispute.

Lauren Boebert, her husband Jayson Boebert, and their four sons.
Lauren Boebert, her husband Jayson Boebert, and their four sons.Lauren Boebert for Congress

On the evening of August 4, 2022, a neighbor called 911 after asking one of Boebert's sons to stop speeding down the street in a dune buggy, The Denver Post reported.

"He's going like 50 miles an hour, and this is a residential lane — there's kids," a neighbor told 911 dispatchers, according to calls obtained by the news outlet. "We tried to stop him, and he'd just freaking cuss at us and just left."

A second neighbor called 911 alleging that Boebert's then-husband, Jayson Boebert, had struck the neighbor's mailbox with his truck. The neighbor added that Jayson Boebert claimed "that someone took a swing at his kid, and nobody did."

"I'm sure he's loaded to the hilt. Do you know who his wife is? Lauren Boebert. She's loaded. They all have guns," a neighbor said in a 911 call obtained by The Denver Post. "He just got chest to chest, face-to-face, looking to fight."

When Sheriff Lou Vallario arrived on the scene, he said all the parties "agreed to work it out as neighbors," The Denver Post said, adding: "No charges. No further action," according to the Post.

Representatives for Lauren Boebert did not respond to requests for comment.

November 2022: Boebert was reelected to her House seat in the midterm elections by just 546 votes.

Lauren Boebert.
Rep. Lauren Boebert speaks to attendees at her Election night event in Grand Junction, Colo., on November 8, 2022. She went on to defeat Democratic challenger Adam Frisch by only 546 votes.RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Colorado's 3rd Congressional district has a conservative tilt, but Boebert eked out a win over former Aspen city councilman Adam Frisch by just 546 votes out of roughly 327,000 ballots cast in what was the closest congressional race in the entire country that year.

The results were a relief to Republicans, who only narrowly flipped the House in 2022, but Democrats were emboldened by the narrow margin.

"One of our most effective comments that we talked about in the district was she's not focused on the job, she's focused on herself," Frisch told The Hill months after his narrow loss. "I can't believe she had almost the most embarrassing loss in 20 years and she hasn't changed one iota."

Frisch is running for the seat again in 2024, while Boebert shifted to running in Colorado's more conservative 4th congressional district instead of the 3rd district.

December 2022: The Boeberts' teenage son called 911 to report that his dad was "throwing" him around the house. Jayson Boebert said "nothing physical" happened.

Lauren Boebert with her husband Jayson and four sons.
Lauren Boebert with husband Jayson Boebert and their four sons.Lauren Boebert for Congress

In an emergency call made on December 11, 2022, and obtained by Business Insider, the Boeberts' son was heard sobbing and gasping while saying his dad was "throwing me around."

The teen also told the 911 dispatcher that his mother had been living separately in a farmhouse because the family was having "problems."

The teen called back a few minutes later and said that his dad "didn't really get physical with me." Lauren Boebert then took the phone and told the dispatcher that her son "doesn't need help" but agreed to let officers come investigate.

Jayson told Business Insider that "nothing physical" happened during the argument.

In a police log from the incident, an officer said Jayson Boebert said he began arguing with his son and told him to go to the farmhouse on an attached property where his mother was staying.

The teen "said he wasn't sure why he said that his dad hurt him, but he was upset," the log said.

The officer said that both parents were cooperative and that there were no physical marks on the teen.

"The safety and well-being of my family are the most important things in the world to me," Boebert told Business Insider. "We've had some tough times and heartache. I've taken action to ensure there are better days ahead for all of us."

January 2023: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene reportedly confronted Boebert in a bathroom over her refusal to vote for Rep. Kevin McCarthy for speaker.

Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert.
Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert.Win McNamee/Getty Images

Citing multiple unnamed sources, The Daily Beast reported that Greene and Boebert were "nearly in a screaming match" in the women's bathroom during the chaotic House speaker floor vote on January 3.

Greene supported Rep. Kevin McCarthy's bid for House speaker, while Boebert opposed it.

A source told The Daily Beast that Greene accused Boebert of taking money from McCarthy for her re-election bid while declining to back him for the House speakership, reportedly telling her: "You were OK taking millions of dollars from McCarthy but you refuse to vote for him for speaker, Lauren?"

USA Today reported that FEC records showed that Boebert did not receive money from McCarthy's PAC in the most recent election.

McCarthy eventually won after an unprecedented 15 rounds of voting and significant concessions to other GOP lawmakers. The House later voted to oust McCarthy in October and replaced him with Rep. Mike Johnson.

March 2023: Boebert announced that her then-17-year-old son, Tyler, was expecting a baby with his girlfriend, which would make her a "36-year-old grandmother."

Lauren Boebert at CPAC
Rep. Lauren Boebert speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

In an appearance at the CPAC women's breakfast, Boebert said that she and her husband were "so excited to welcome this new life," a baby boy due in April 2023. The congresswoman gave birth to Tyler when she was a teenager herself, dropping out of high school in 2004 when she became pregnant at 18.

"Now, any of you who have young children who are giving life, there are some questions that pop up. There's some fear that arises," she said. "Now my son, when I approached him and told him, 'Tyler, I'm going to be a 36-year-old grandmother,' he said, 'Well, didn't you make Granny a 36-year-old granny?' 'I said, 'Yes, I did.' He said, 'Well then, it's hereditary.'" (Boebert turned 37 in December.)

In June 2023, while discussing her ongoing feud with Greene on Fox News with host Sean Hannity, Boebert revealed her grandson had been born.

"Sean, I did not put my life on pause and leave my four boys and my now grandson to come here and just get in spats with people," she said. "I came here to legislate and to be effective for Coloradans, Coloradans who are suffering from the Democrats' policy. Marjorie is not my enemy. Joe Biden's policy, the Democrats, that is my enemy that I am combating right now."

A spokesman for Boebert also confirmed the birth of her grandson to Business Insider.

May 2023: Boebert confirmed she had filed for divorce from her husband, citing "irreconcilable differences."

Lauren Boebert with a serious expression
Lauren Boebert attends a House Natural Resources Committee hearing.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Boebert was just 16 when she met Jayson Boebert, and they married in 2005.

According to the separation filing, the congresswoman sued for parental-decision making power and child support for the couple's four sons, Business Insider's Brent D. Griffiths reported.

"It is with a heavy weight on my heart that I have filed for divorce from my husband. I am grateful for our years of marriage together and for our beautiful children, all of whom deserve privacy and love as we work through this process," Boebert said in a statement to The Colorado Sun. "I've always been faithful in my marriage, and I believe strongly in marriage, which makes this announcement that much more difficult."

The statement continued: "This is truly about irreconcilable differences. I do not intend to discuss this matter any further in public out of respect for our children, and will continue to work hard to represent the people of Colorado's 3rd congressional district."

Magistrate Katherine Barnes wrote in an August 10 order that Jayson didn't respond to a motion after his wife's attorneys attempted to reach him several times.

June 2023: Greene and Boebert's feud continued to escalate with Greene calling Boebert an expletive on the House floor.

Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert at a meeting on Capitol Hill
Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert at a meeting on Capitol Hill.Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

The Daily Beast reported that Greene became angry when Boebert filed articles of impeachment against Biden in June, accusing her of copying the articles of impeachment that she filed in May.

Two sources who witnessed the exchange, which was captured on C-SPAN cameras, told The Daily Beast that Greene told Boebert, "I've donated to you, I've defended you," before adding, "And you copied my articles of impeachment after I asked you to cosponsor them."

Greene confirmed to Semafor that she had referred to Boebert with an expletive when asked about the confrontation.

"I told her exactly what I think about her," Greene said, adding that she would "absolutely not" be reconciling with her House Freedom Caucus colleague.

"Marjorie is not my enemy. I came here to protect our children and their posterity. Joe Biden and the Democrats are destroying our country," Boebert told The Daily Beast. "My priorities are to correct their bad policies and save America."

September 2023: Boebert was kicked out of a performance of the musical "Beetlejuice" at a Denver theater following numerous complaints about her behavior.

Rep. Lauren Boebert vaping, left, and a Broadway performance of "Beetlejuice," right, in a composite image.
A video appeared to show Rep. Lauren Boebert vaping during a performance of "Beetlejuice" in Denver.9NEWS via Denvers Arts and Venues, Getty Images

According to incident reports filed by officials and initially obtained by the Denver Post, Boebert and her date were issued a warning during intermission after three theatergoers complained that they were singing, filming on their phones, and vaping. Five minutes into the show's second act, they were escorted out for "being loud" and recording the show on their phones.

Surveillance footage obtained by 9News also appeared to show Boebert grabbing her date's crotch and having her chest fondled during the performance. Another clip appeared to show Boebert giving an usher the middle finger as she left the theater.

In a post on X, Boebert said she pleaded "guilty to laughing and singing too loud!" Boebert's campaign manager, Drew Sexton, confirmed that Boebert was escorted out of the performance but denied that she had been vaping.

After surveillance video emerged that clearly showed the congresswoman vaping, she issued an apology, saying that she "genuinely did not recall vaping that evening" when speaking with her team about what had happened.

"Whether it was the excitement of seeing a much-anticipated production or the natural anxiety of being in a new environment, I genuinely did not recall vaping that evening when I discussed the night's events with my campaign team while confirming my enthusiasm for the musical," Boebert wrote in a statement sent to Business Insider's Hannah Getahun.

Boebert continued: "Regardless of my belief, it's clear now that was not accurate; it was not my or my campaign's intention to mislead, but we do understand the nature of how this looks. We know we will have to work to earn your trust back and it may not happen overnight, but we will do it."

December 2023: Boebert announced she would move from running in Colorado's 3rd congressional district to the more conservative 4th congressional district, instead.

Lauren Boebert speaks at a debate in Colorado
Lauren Boebert answers a question during a debate for GOP candidates running in Colorado's 4th congressional district in January 2024.RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Boebert said that she made the switch to a more electable district in the interest of "protecting my voters" from Democrats, The Durango Herald reported.

Boebert won reelection in 2022 by a narrow margin of less than 600 votes. Her Democratic opponent in her old district, Adam Frisch, raised over $7.7 million in his efforts to unseat her in 2024, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Boebert's move elicited the ire of some GOP candidates in her new district. In the first Republican debate in the 4th district, Boebert was asked to define "carpetbagger" by one of her opponents, state Rep. Mike Lynch.

"I'm not dumb. I knew all the attacks that would come my way," Boebert told The Washington Post. "But I talked to God, I asked, 'How do I address this? Will this be perceived that I'm not fighting?' And God said, 'Do you have more faith in your ability to fight or my ability to open a door?'"

January 2024: Boebert's ex-husband was arrested after an altercation involving Boebert at a restaurant.

Lauren Boebert
Rep. Lauren Boebert.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Jayson was arrested on January 6 following an altercation with Boebert at a Colorado restaurant.

A Boebert aide told The Daily Beast that Jayson asked his ex-wife to meet for dinner to apologize for trying to hug her while she was picking up one of their sons from his house.

When the meeting turned physical, Jayson called the police and claimed that he was a "victim of domestic violence." The Silt Police Department later called his claim "unfounded."

Jayson was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, third-degree trespass, and obstruction of a peace officer.

He told The Daily Beast he "made a mistake."

In a statement to The Denver Post, Lauren Boebert said, "This is a sad situation for all that keeps escalating and another reason I'm moving,"

January 2024: Their son Tyler called 911 and accused Jayson of assault.

Jayson Boebert booking photo
Jayson Boebert booking photoGarfield County Sheriff's Department

Just days after the restaurant incident, Jayson was arrested again.

According to an arrest warrant from the Garfield County Sheriff's Office, Jayson shoved Tyler, put his hand into his mouth, and picked up a rifle when Tyler called the police during an argument on January 9, Business Insider's Brent D. Griffiths and Haven Orecchio-Egresitz reported. During the 911 call, Tyler told the dispatcher that he suspected his father had been drinking.

Jayson was arrested and charged with assault in the third degree, harassment, and prohibited use of a weapon, and Boebert was granted a temporary restraining order against him.

 

February 2024: Tyler Boebert was arrested and charged with 22 counts including first-degree criminal trespass and petty theft.

Tyler Boebert in his booking photo after his February 27 arrest.
Tyler Boebert in his booking photo after his February 27 arrest.Garfield County Sheriff's Office

Tyler Boebert, 18, was arrested on February 27 in Rifle, Colorado, in connection with a "recent string of vehicle trespass and property thefts," the Rifle Police Department wrote on Facebook. He is facing 22 charges including criminal possession of a financial device, criminal possession of ID documents, conspiracy to commit a felony, first-degree criminal trespass, and petty theft, according to Garfield County Jail records.

Court documents showed that Tyler was identified in surveillance footage wearing a hoodie from Shooters Grill, the firearm-themed restaurant Boebert once owned in Rifle.

Tyler was released on a $1,250 personal-recognizance bond, and his next court date is set for April 11.

In a statement to Business Insider, Boebert said her son should be "held accountable for poor decisions just like any other citizen."

Read the original article on Business Insider