Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke made a provocative comparison during an appearance on California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s podcast, likening the Trump administration and Texas Republicans to the rise of Adolf Hitler in 1933 Germany. Speaking about the potential future of the United States in 2025, O’Rourke expressed deep concern about the erosion of democratic institutions, warning that the country could mirror the authoritarianism that defined Nazi Germany.
As part of his discussion, O’Rourke addressed the ongoing investigation into his Powered by People PAC, which is under scrutiny by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for allegedly violating state law by assisting Texas Democrats in traveling out of the state during a redistricting standoff. He praised the efforts of Texas Democrats, calling them “among the very last lines of defense of democracy” against what he described as a dangerous political tide.
O’Rourke argued that the current political climate in the U.S. is reminiscent of the early stages of Hitler’s rise to power, pointing to the legislative actions of the Republican Party as a direct parallel. He emphasized the importance of preserving democratic norms and warned that the country could follow a similar path if the current trajectory continues. “I can only imagine the history books written 100 years from now,” O’Rourke said, “looking at the people of 2025. It’s the way you and I when we were in school, we’re looking at the people in Germany in 1933.”
Throughout his remarks, O’Rourke defended his past comparisons of Donald Trump to Hitler, stating that such rhetoric is necessary to highlight the dangers of authoritarianism in modern American politics. He criticized Trump’s rhetoric, particularly his earlier comments about immigrants being an “infestation,” which he argued was akin to the kind of inflammatory language used by the Nazi regime. “Now, I might expect someone to describe another human being as an infestation in the Third Reich. I would not expect it in the United States of America,” O’Rourke said.
O’Rourke has made similar comparisons in the past, including warning in 2021 that the U.S. could become like Nazi Germany within a decade, despite Trump losing the 2020 election. His statements have drawn criticism from opponents, including Texas Senator John Cornyn, who has called for the Justice Department to investigate O’Rourke’s PAC for potential violations. However, O’Rourke’s comments are part of a broader conversation about the state of democracy and the need to prevent the U.S. from descending into a similar authoritarian scenario.
As the political landscape continues to shift, O’Rourke’s remarks serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting democratic institutions. His comparison to Hitler’s rise in 1933 underscores the urgency of addressing the challenges facing the U.S. today and ensuring that the country remains on a path toward democracy rather than authoritarianism.