Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-Oakland) is being criticized for remarks she made in front of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday where she said that Adolf Hitler “was right about one thing.”
Miller, who was sworn into office on Sunday, was speaking at a “Moms for America” rally before the House and Senate were set to begin certifying the Electoral College vote. During her remarks, she began speaking in praise of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, when she brought up the German dictator.
Audio Player“This is the battle,” she said. “Hitler was right on one thing. He said whoever has the youth, has the future.”
Miller’s remarks were met with swift backlash from several Illinois politicians on Wednesday. At his COVID-19 briefing, Governor J.B. Pritzker called her comments “unfathomable and disgusting”.
Audio Player“Hitler got nothing right,” he explained. “This reprehensible rhetoric has no place in our politics. Illinois Republicans cannot allow this to stand, and must condemn this vile, evil streak in their party.”
Illinois GOP Chairman Tim Schneider said Miller’s language was “wrong and disgusting” and urged her to apologize for making them, and Republican State Representative Tim Butler of Springfield said that elected officials “must not support Hitler’s memory, quotes, ideology, etc”. Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger called her remarks “garbage”.
Kristina Zahorik, president of the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association, was very critical of Miller’s statements.
“When you’re an elected official your words matter,” she explained. “What you say matters. Today, Republican Mary Miller showed us who she really is and what she believes, and that was she thinks Adolf Hitler — a genocidal, mass murder — had ideas she supports…I am aghast at her insensitive, offensive, and ridiculous comments today.”
Miller was elected in November to succeed longtime Congressman John Shimkus in the 15th District, which includes east central and southeastern Illinois.
