Norcross compares Van Drew to Hitler at Democratic rally, then apologizes

Rep. Donald Norcross (D-Camden) compared Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) to Adolf Hitler during a Democratic campaign rally in Gloucester County on Saturday, then apologized after the Philadelphia Inquirer questioned him about his remarks.

Norcross mocked Van Drew’s hairstyle and pocket handkerchief while attacking the former Democrat, who switched parties in 2019 and pledged his “undying support” to President Donald Trump.

“That haircut: If it was darker, that’s Hitler’s haircut.  That tells you who he really is.  And those things he used to wear in his pocket, those three things. … The Klan hats he used to wear there, remember that? This is the real Jeff Van Drew,” Norcross said, according to the Inquirer.

Speaking before roughly 200 Democrats in Westville, Norcross also dropped to his knees to ridicule Van Drew’s loyalty to Trump.

“Donald, my undying, I pledge to you!” Norcross declared, according to the Inquirer, before getting up and calling Van Drew’s conduct “disgusting.”

After being contacted by the Inquirer, Norcross telephoned Van Drew to apologize, the newspaper reported.

“Whatever implications there were from my comments, I did not mean them that way. I went too far,” Norcross said in a statement provided to the Inquirer through his spokesperson.

Van Drew told the Inquirer that he accepted the apology but was “profoundly disappointed” by the remarks, calling them “rough and inappropriate for a congressman.”

“I think he agrees,” Van Drew told the newspaper.  “I think he knows it now.  I guess he got caught up in the moment.”

Former Senate President Steve Sweeney, who also spoke at the rally, accused Van Drew of having “kissed Donald Trump’s ass” and told the Inquirer he stood by his comments “1,000%.”

The rally featured Sen. Cory Booker and Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock, the Democratic nominee challenging Van Drew in New Jersey’s 2nd district.   Mullock has not commented on Norcross’ remarks.

In a separate dispute with the newspaper, Norcross’ brother, South Jersey Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III, filed a $100 million defamation lawsuit against the Inquirer and editor Nancy Phillips last month, alleging that Phillips fabricated witness statements and helped funnel them to state prosecutors in a racketeering case that was ultimately dismissed.  The Inquirer has denied providing the notes to prosecutors and rejected allegations that Phillips collaborated with authorities.  George Norcross, a former co-owner of the newspaper, has pledged to donate any proceeds from the lawsuit to charitable causes.