Congresswoman quotes Hitler to make her point
CHICAGO — Freshman U.S. Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois quoted Adolf Hitler in a speech Tuesday outside the U.S. Capitol, comments that drew swift criticism from fellow Republicans.
Miller, elected in November to replace Republican John Shimkus, spoke during an event by conservative group “Moms for America,” one of several demonstrations by supporters of President Donald Trump.
Miller — speaking a day before violent Trump supporters stormed the Capitol — read from prepared remarks, urging the need to appeal to young people in politics.
“This is the battle,” she said according to video posted by WCIATV. “Hitler was right on one thing. He said, ‘Whoever has the youth has the future.’”
The comment is often attributed to Hitler, who organized youth groups to introduce children to Nazi ideologies.
Illinois Republicans including U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger and state GOP Chairman Tim Schneider condemned the comments.
“We urge Congresswoman Miller to apologize,” Schneider said in a statement.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat who is Jewish, called the remarks “unfathomable.”
“Let me be clear: Hitler got nothing right,” he told reporters Wednesday. “This reprehensible rhetoric has no place in our politics.”
Messages left Wednesday for spokeswomen for Miller and Moms for America weren’t returned.
Miller runs a farm with her husband, Republican state Rep. Chris Miller.