A newly sworn-in Republican congresswoman issued an apology for a pro-Hitler reference at a rally earlier in January.
Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois issued an apology on Friday, days after she said, “Hitler was right on one thing, that whoever has the youth has the future. Our children are being propagandized” at a Moms for America Saving the Republic rally on Capitol Hill. At the time of the reference, she was explaining how “each generation has the responsibility to teach the next generation” and that the GOP needs to “win the hearts of our children.”
“Earlier this week, I spoke to a group of mothers about the importance of faith and guarding our youth from destructive influences,” her statement reads. “I sincerely apologize for any harm my words caused and regret using a reference to one of the most evil dictators in history to illustrate the dangers that outside influences can have on our youth. This dark history should never be repeated and parents should be proactive to instill what is good, true, right, and noble into their children’s hearts and minds.”
Here’s the full clip. Incoming Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller didn’t slip or improvise when she quoted Hitler and praised how the murderous Nazi built his political movement by indoctrinating youth. She was reading from prepared remarks. pic.twitter.com/xWPi2u8wB3
— Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) January 6, 2021
The congresswoman also noted that she’s a “strong advocate” and “ally” of the Jewish community and is pro-Israel.
“While some are trying to intentionally twist my words to mean something antithetical to my beliefs, let me be clear: I’m passionately pro-Israel and I will always be a strong advocate and ally of the Jewish community,” the statement continued. “I’ve been in discussion with Jewish leaders across the country and am grateful to them for their kindness and forthrightness.”
Illinois Democrats Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Jan Schakowsky called on Miller to resign, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
“The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum unequivocally condemns any leader trying to advance a position by claiming Adolf Hitler was ‘right,’” the Holocaust Memorial Museum said in a statement. “Adolf Hitler’s Germany plunged Europe into the most destructive event in human history, World War II and the Holocaust resulting in the genocide of six million European Jews.”
