Elizabeth Warren Stands by DNA Test. But Around Her, Worries Abound.

Sections SEARCH Skip to content Skip to site index Politics Subscribe Log In Log In Today’s Paper Politics | Elizabeth Warren Stands by DNA Test. But Around Her, Worries Abound. Supported by ByAstead W. Herndon Dec. 6, 2018 WASHINGTON — The plan was straightforward: After years of being challenged by President Trump and others about a decades-old claim of Native American ancestry, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts would take a DNA test to prove her stated family origins in the Cherokee and Delaware tribes. But nearly two months after Ms. Warren released the test results and drew hostile reactions from prominent tribal leaders, the lingering cloud over her likely presidential campaign has only darkened. Conservatives have continued to ridicule her. More worrisome to supporters of Ms. Warren’s presidential ambitions, she has yet to allay criticism from grass-roots progressive groups, liberal political operatives and other potential 2020 allies who complain that she put too much emphasis on the controversial field of racial science — and, in doing so, played into Mr. Trump’s hands. Advisers close to Ms. Warren say she has privately expressed concern that she may have damaged her relationships to Native American groups and her own standing with progressive activists, particularly those who are racial minorities. Several outside advisers are even more worried: They say they believe a plan should be made to repair that damage, possibly including a strong statement of apology. The advisers say Ms. Warren will have to confront the issue again if she announces a… [Read full story]