“Go Back to 1930s Germany”: Congressman Pocan’s Antisemitic Slur Sparks Uproar
Progressive lawmaker tells Jewish Trump adviser Stephen Miller to return to Nazi Germany, as tensions over Israel, Iran, and antisemitism boil over.
TwitterA firestorm of controversy erupted this week when U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI) posted a social media comment telling Stephen Miller, a Jewish White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, to “go back to 1930’s Germany.” The remark, made on June 25, 2025, in response to Miller’s post about immigration, has drawn widespread condemnation from Republican lawmakers, White House officials, and Jewish advocacy groups, who labeled it antisemitic due to its reference to the Nazi era’s persecution of Jews.
The Incident and Its Trigger
Pocan’s comment targeted Miller’s X post, which described New York City’s mayoral primary win by democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim Ugandan immigrant, as a “warning” of unchecked migration. Pocan responded, “Racist f*ck. Go back to 1930’s Germany,” invoking a period synonymous with the Holocaust and Nazi atrocities against Jews. Miller, whose ancestors fled anti-Jewish pogroms in Belarus in the early 20th century, has been a polarizing figure as a key architect of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, including mass deportation initiatives.
In a statement to POLITICO, Pocan defended his remark, arguing it criticized Miller’s “extremist views” and likened Trump’s immigration policies to “Nazi-like” actions. He claimed only Miller’s supporters were offended and dismissed accusations of antisemitism, refusing to apologize or delete the post.
Widespread Condemnation
The White House swiftly denounced Pocan’s comment. Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly called it “absolutely disgusting,” demanding an apology to Miller and Pocan’s constituents, and suggesting he seek “professional help.” She warned that such rhetoric could embolden radicals targeting Jewish Americans. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) labeled the remark “vile,” urging Wisconsin Democrats to condemn it or be “complicit.”
On X, prominent voices amplified the outrage. One person called for public reaction to the “blatant Jew hatred,” while Laura Loomer highlighted Miller’s Jewish heritage, noting the insensitivity of referencing Nazi Germany.
Two people described the comment as a low point in political discourse, with another suggesting Pocan face severe consequences. JewsFightBack criticized the lack of mainstream media coverage and Democratic silence, pointing to a perceived double standard in addressing antisemitism.
A minority of voices on X supported Pocan.
Pocan’s Record and Political Context
Pocan, a progressive representing Wisconsin’s 2nd District since 2013, has a history of criticizing Israel, including opposing arms sales in 2021, boycotting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 2024 congressional address, and sponsoring an anti-Israel forum in 2017. He has feuded with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), calling it a “cancerous presence,” but also condemned neo-Nazi marches in his district in 2023 and supported a resolution affirming Israel’s right to exist. His vote against censuring Rep. Rashida Tlaib for her comments on Israel, citing free speech, has drawn scrutiny from Jewish constituents.
Despite Pocan’s defense that he targeted Miller’s immigration policies, the remark’s historical weight and his refusal to apologize have fueled deserved calls for censure and heightened scrutiny of his record on Israel.