WASHINGTON — Freshman Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., apologized on Friday after gaining national attention for praising Hitler during a pro-Trump rally and sparking calls from Illinois colleagues in Congress to resign and condemnation from others.
In a statement, Miller said, “Earlier this week, I spoke to a group of mothers about the importance of faith and guarding our youth from destructive influences. 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. 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. 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, in office less than a week, to resign in the wake of her comments. National outlets did stories about Miller’s remarks, launching the congressional career of the outspoken conservative defender of President Donald Trump in controversy.
The Holocaust genocide is a singular, noncomparable event in human history and Miller was condemned, by among others, including the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, in the wake of her praise of Adolf Hitler.
The Nazis came to power in Germany in 1933, and with collaborators in other nations, murdered 6 million Jews and others — Roma, or Gypsies, homosexuals, political opponents, Jehovah’s Witnesses, the disabled and some from Slavic countries.
Miller, from Oakland, a small town in east central Illinois, spoke at the “Moms for America Saving the Republic” rally outside the Capitol on Tuesday.
At the rally, Miller said, “Each generation has the responsibility to teach the next generation. You know, if we win a few elections we’re still going to be losing unless we win the hearts of our children. It’s the battle. Hitler was right on one thing — that whoever has the youth has the future. Our children are being propagandized.”
In a statement, the Holocaust museum said it “unequivocally condemns any leader trying to advance a position by claiming Adolf Hitler was ‘right.’ 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.”
Duckworth said Thursday in a statement, “It is absolutely repugnant, obscene and unacceptable for any American — let alone a supposed ‘leader’ serving in Congress — to claim Adolf Hitler was right about anything.”
“To say that the perpetrator of the greatest genocide in world history should be a model for any type of behavior, much less the indoctrination of children with hatred, racism and fascist ideals, is disqualifying for an American elected official. I cannot condemn in harsher terms Mary Miller’s despicable comments in the run-up to yesterday’s coup attempt, and I call on her to resign immediately so that someone who better understands the sacrifices our brave service members made during World War II can more effectively represent our state.”
