Freshman Illinois Rep. Mary Miller apologized on Friday after drawing criticism for quoting Adolf Hitler in a speech Tuesday outside the U.S. Capitol.
Miller, who was among the Republicans who tried to challenge the certification of certain Electoral College votes that went to incoming President Joe Biden, issued the apology in the face of calls for her to resign.
'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,' the newly sworn-in congresswoman said in a statement.
Miller, elected in November to replace Republican John Shimkus, spoke Tuesday during an event by conservative group 'Moms for America,' as demonstrations in support of President Donald Trump began in Washington D.C.
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 WCIA-TV. 'Hitler was right on one thing. He said, ´Whoever has the youth has the future.''
New Illinois representative Mary Miller has apologized for comments she made on Tuesday
While speaking during a Moms for America rally, Miller said Hitler 'was right on one thing'
The comment is often attributed to Hitler, who organized youth groups to introduce children to Nazi ideologies.
Hitler, in fact made a slightly different comment in 1935, saying 'He alone who owns the youth gains the future.'
The remark clearly wasn't off the cuff, with Miller emphasizing the dictator's name and reading from a prepared speech.
Illinois Republicans including U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger and state GOP Chairman Tim Schneider condemned the comments.
Her comments referenced remarks made by the dictator about the importance of the youth
Miller was reading from prepared remarks when she made her reference to Hitler
'That language is wrong and disgusting. We urge Congresswoman Miller to apologize,' Schneider had 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.'
The head of the World Jewish Congress, an international organization, blasted Miller's comment as 'simply outrageous.'
One attendee of the rally was in shock when hearing Miller reference Hitler casually
State Representative Jonathan Carroll was one of many to quickly condemn Miller
Mark Maxwell, who captured the video, also was quick to condemn the Congresswoman
'One might expect this from white supremacists or neo-Nazis, but hearing the words 'Hitler was right' from the mouth of a member of the United States Congress is beyond acceptable behavior by any standards,' Ronald Lauder, the group's president said in a statement.
'If Rep. Miller has any respect left for the role of a U.S. Congressperson or any shred of dignity in her, she will do what's right and resign,' the Illinois Legislative Jewish Caucus said in a statement.
The United States Holocaust Museum also released a statement: 'The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum 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.'
In her apology, Miller also said '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,' Miller said.
Miller was sworn into Congress just this Sunday (seen above) and made her controversial remarks on just her third day in office
Miller, elected to public office for the first time, runs a farm with her husband, Republican state Rep. Chris Miller.
Her congressional district covers a wide swath of southern and eastern Illinois along the border with Indiana.
'Moms for America' is a conservative nonprofit group founded in 2004 with a mission 'to raise a new generation of patriots, and heal our nation from the inside out,' according to their website.
Miller has not posted on her Twitter page since she was sworn into Congress on Sunday.
Her pinned tweet, however, features an endorsement from Donald Trump, which reads, 'Mary Miller (@Miller_Congress) will be a terrific Congresswoman for Illinois! She is Strong on the Border, Life, Low Taxes, and she will always protect and defend your Second Amendment. Mary has my Complete and Total Endorsement! #IL15'
Miller responded, 'Thank you so much President Trump (@realDonaldTrump) for your endorsement! I'm looking forward to working with you in Washington to defend the Second Amendment, secure our borders, and protect life, while also bringing back high-paying jobs and continuing to make America great!'
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