Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) issued a public apology on Thursday after a reported mix-up in a U.S. Capitol restroom led to her accusing a cisgender woman of being transgender. The incident, which was first reported by The Daily Beast, occurred after Boebert allegedly confronted the woman and told her, “You shouldn’t be here,” mistaking her for Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE), a transgender member of Congress.
According to an anonymous Republican source, Boebert was under the impression that McBride was in the women’s restroom and called on Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), a known opponent of transgender-inclusive policies, to address the situation. Mace, who has been vocal in her criticism of policies allowing transgender people to use restrooms consistent with their gender identity, reportedly “stormed in” to the restroom. However, both Boebert and Mace quickly realized that the woman in question was not McBride, but a cisgender individual.
Boebert later acknowledged her mistake, offering an apology and clarifying that it was a case of mistaken identity. “I made an error regarding a mistaken identity,” she said in a statement. “I apologized, learned a lesson, and it won’t happen again.”
This incident unfolded as Boebert was reportedly upset by the presence of a “man” in the women’s restroom, a claim that turned out to be unfounded. Boebert later told Bloomberg News reporter Billy House, “There was a rumor there was [a man in the bathroom], but it wasn’t true.”
House, who was present at the scene, described the events in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter). He recounted how Boebert emerged from the Capitol restroom during a vote series, visibly upset and complaining to nearby security personnel about the supposed presence of a man in the women’s bathroom. House remained near the scene and witnessed several women leaving the restroom, including the woman Boebert had initially accused of being McBride.
Shortly afterward, Boebert returned to the restroom, this time accompanied by Rep. Mace. The two entered the restroom but quickly exited, realizing the situation was not as Boebert had originally claimed.
“Who would dare leave this scene now? Not me,” House wrote, recounting the unusual scene. “But alas, just seconds after this duo entered the bathroom, they come back out — and went back quietly to the floor. A bit of bathroom vigilantism?”
After the situation calmed, House approached Boebert for an explanation. She admitted her mistake, saying that it was a case of mistaken identity. “I later asked Boebert what this was all about, noting I had heard her complain there was ‘a guy’ in there. To her credit, she acknowledged it was a mistake,” House wrote.
Boebert, a frequent critic of transgender rights, has made controversial statements in the past regarding transgender issues. She has been outspoken in her opposition to trans-inclusive policies in schools, claiming such policies “radicalize” students and contribute to mental health issues, including school shootings. Her stance on transgender issues has often put her at odds with more progressive lawmakers, particularly those who advocate for the rights of transgender individuals.
This incident is not the first time Boebert has been involved in a restroom-related controversy. In January 2023, Boebert reportedly engaged in a heated argument with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) in a Capitol women’s restroom. Both women are known for their vocal opposition to transgender rights, and the altercation between them further highlighted the tensions surrounding this issue within the Republican Party.
While Boebert’s recent apology may quell some immediate fallout, the incident has once again drawn attention to the contentious debate over transgender rights in the U.S. Capitol and beyond. The situation also underscores the ongoing cultural and political divide over issues of gender identity and inclusion.
As lawmakers continue to grapple with these sensitive issues, Boebert’s public apology signals a moment of reflection on her part. However, it remains to be seen whether this incident will affect her stance on transgender rights in the future.
For now, Boebert’s remarks serve as a reminder of the complexities surrounding gender identity and the importance of respectful dialogue on such matters. Despite her apology, the controversy is likely to persist, especially given the polarized nature of the debate.
