A considerable number of Democrats are calling for the resignation of U.S. Representative Mary Miller of Illinois. The recently sworn-in Republican cited Adolf Hitler during a rally held just outside of the U.S. Capitol earlier this week.
U.S. Representatives Marie Newman and Jan Schakowsky, both Illinois Democrats, joined a contingent of state legislators passing on a petition, called for Miller's resignation. Schakowsky, who is Jewish, said that her remark crossed a definite line, adding that mentioning Hitler's name at a time when emotions are so high on all sides was highly inappropriate and wrong.
Her comment came at a Save the Republic Rally, which was hosted by a conservative group called Moms for America, HuffPost reported. The rally was held just one day before pro-Trump supporters swarmed the Capitol to block the Congressional certification of President-elect Joe Biden's win.
Miller was one of those who voted to reverse the election results for Biden. Miller, during the rally, spoke about the importance of appealing to young people, saying Hitler was right when he said, "whoever has the youth, has the future," according to a clip posted by WCIA TV.
The aforesaid remark is usually attributed to Hitler, how formed youth groups to make children aware of Nazi ideologies. Illinois Republicans, including Representative Adam Kinzinger and state GOP Chairman Tim Schneider, declared the comments unfit. Schneider urges Miller to apologize for her "wrong and disgusting" language, the Associated Press reported.
Kinzinger also tweeted his view, calling her comments "garbage." The Governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker, called them disgusting, unfathomable remarks. Representative Jan Schakowsky from Illinois told Chicago Sun-Times that Miller should resign and should be condemned.
Moms for America urged the media to apologize while defending Miller's remarks by citing another Hitler quote, PEOPLE reported. The group said it stands by Miller's statement and urged people to listen to her entire speech, which it said was full of truth and inspiration.
Miller tweeted Thursday, clarifying that her comments were a criticism of Hitler's efforts to re-educated children, which she compared to efforts by left-wing radicals in the United States. Miller has explained that she would never praise a genocidal dictator.
Miller's response to the backlash was posted to Twitter shortly after rioters broke into the Capitol in a bid to block President-elect Joe Biden's certification process. The move was triggered by President Donald Trump's unceasing efforts to convince his supporters that the Democrats stole the election from him and that the Nov. election was subject to massive voter fraud.