Ohio Republican apologizes for comparing DC vaccine mandate to Nazi Germany amid backlash

Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) apologized for comparing the vaccine mandate implemented in Washington, D.C., to Nazi Germany amid backlash. 

“This has been done before. #DoNotComply,” Davidson tweeted on Wednesday with a picture of a Nazi document showing a swastika. 

“Let’s recall that the Nazis dehumanized Jewish people before segregating them, segregated them before imprisoning them, imprisoned them before enslaving them, and enslaved them before massacring them,” Davidson added.

His post sparked backlash, with the American Jewish Committee condemning the comparison of COVID-19 vaccine mandates that have been implemented around the world with the Holocaust that killed millions of individuals. 

“For my Jewish friends, and all others, my sincere apologies,” Davidson tweeted, along with a statement on the incident. 

“Bad things happen when governments dehumanize people. Sometimes, there is a next step – to systematically segregate them. Unfortunately, any reference to how the Nazis actually did that prevents a focus on anything other than the Holocaust,” Davidson said.

“I appreciate my Jewish friends who have explained to me their perspectives and feel horrible that I have offended anyone. My sincere apologies,” he added. 

Davidson made the comparison to Nazism on Twitter in response to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) posting that D.C. residents above the age of 18 will need proof of vaccination and photo identification to eat at restaurants. Those above the age of 12 will only need proof of vaccination. 

Cities, states and countries around the world have implemented vaccine mandates in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Other Republican lawmakers, such as Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), have also been condemned in the past for comparing vaccine mandates to the Holocaust.