California Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee claimed Thursday that a racist white man once tried to block her from entering the members' elevator at the Capitol and accused her of stealing his membership card.
Lee, who is running for the California Senate, was asked on CNN about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley's assertion that the United States has “never been a racist country.”
Lee rebuked Haley and said racism is in America's “DNA.” She further suggested that “individual racism” is also an issue that Hailey doesn't understand, and she provided a story to support her claim.
Although he did not provide a date or time, Lee claimed he was walking from the House administration building toward the Capitol when a white man stopped him and told him he could not enter the members' elevator.
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California Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee spoke to Caitlan Collins on CNN about “personal racism.” (CNN/Screenshot)
“He blocked me from getting into the elevator and told me I was not an MP and that it was for MPs only. I said, 'Sir, I'm an MP,' and I showed him my PIN.” she said. she said.
Lee said the man then asked her whose PIN she had stolen.
“This is an example of what personal racism looks like and how people of color have to constantly deal with this every day,” she told CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, adding that this story He seemed surprised. “But there is systemic racism in the policies of this country, and look at what they are going to do in terms of eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion. We try to not allow a competitive playing field.”
He also said Haley was “ignorant” about racism in the United States and that her position was “dangerous.”
Lee and Capitol Police and security did not respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.
Lee has served in the House of Representatives since 1998, making him one of the longest-serving members of Congress. She is currently running against fellow California Democrats Adam Schiff and Katie Porter for the seat once held by the late California Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
Current Sen. LaFonza Butler (D-Calif.) was appointed to the seat after Feinstein's death last year, but will not run in 2024.
Haley has faced significant backlash for her comments about racism in America.
“We're not a racist country, Brian. We've never been a racist country,” Haley told Fox News host Brian Kilmeade on Tuesday. “Our goal is to make sure that today is better than yesterday. Are we perfect? No. But our goal is to always strive and strive every day to be as perfect as we can be.” It’s about making an effort.”
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California Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee attends the Congressional Black Caucus' National Summit on Democracy and Race on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, near the Capitol. ((Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images))
She later clarified her comments in a statement to CNN, saying that while “racism has always existed” in the United States, the United States “has never been a racist country.”
Asked about Haley's claims on ABC's “The View,” Vice President Kamala Harris said it was “unfortunate” that some people would “deny or ignore the facts.”
“While we all agree that this is part of our country's past and that traces of it remain today, we must work together to ensure that this does not define our future,” Harris said. I think it should be done.”
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FOX News' Jeffrey Clark contributed to this report.
