Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.), who was sworn into office on Jan. 3, told a crowd of protesters outside the Capitol on Tuesday that “Hitler was right on one thing.”
In front of a crowd of supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump, Miller said, “Hitler was right on one thing: He said, whoever has the youth has the future. Fill your children’s minds with what is true and right and noble, and then they can overcome evil with good because they can actually discern between what is evil and what is good.”
Margot McGowan Staebler, a law student at Michigan State University, posted the video on Twitter of the freshman congresswoman making the remark.
Not a great look for a freshmen Congresswoman to be caught on tape at a rally in the Nation’s Capitol saying “Hitler was right.” @Miller_Congress
And for those who want to nitpick what she said, let me just stop you right there—Hitler was right on literally nothing. pic.twitter.com/KXbVT8jTr3
— Margot 👀 McGowan Staebler (@always_margot) January 5, 2021
Jewish groups immediately censured Miller’s remarks.
“Hitler wasn’t right on anything—and invoking his name in this or any other context is wildly offensive & disrespects the millions who perished due to the Nazis’ hateful, genocidal regime. An apology is the least you can do for your constituents & our country,” tweeted Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt.
.@Miller_Congress, Hitler wasn’t right on anything – and invoking his name in this or any other context is wildly offensive & disrespects the millions who perished due to the Nazis' hateful, genocidal regime. An apology is the least you can do for your constituents & our country. https://t.co/ZHsSHTSelF
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) January 6, 2021
In a statement, World Jewish Congress executive director Betty Ehrenberg said: “Hateful rhetoric like this is unacceptable from an elected official chosen to stand up for freedom, democracy and equality. Shame on Cong. Miller.”