President-elect Trump Appoints Stephen Miller as Deputy Chief of Policy
In a move underscoring his administration’s focus on immigration and national security, President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Stephen Miller as Deputy Chief of Policy. In this role, Miller will advise the President on a wide range of policy issues, particularly focused on immigration and national security. The appointment was confirmed by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, who congratulated Miller on X, calling it “another fantastic pick by the President.” CNN first reported the announcement.
Miller’s Influence on Trump’s Policy Agenda
Miller, a key figure in Trump’s inner circle since his first White House bid, held a senior position in the previous administration. Known for his significant influence on Trump’s policy direction, Miller was instrumental in shaping key decisions, particularly on immigration. One of his most contentious contributions was the 2018 family separation policy, a controversial measure aimed at deterring illegal immigration by separating thousands of immigrant families at the border.
Face of the Trump Administration’s Hard-line Policies
In addition to crafting several of Trump’s hard-line speeches, Miller was frequently the public face of those policies, staunchly defending the administration’s stance on immigration and national security. Since leaving the White House, he has served as president of America First Legal, an advocacy group promoting conservative legal principles, often described as a conservative counterpart to the American Civil Liberties Union. Through this organization, Miller has continued advancing his views, challenging policies of the Biden administration, media companies, and universities on issues from free speech to national security.
Role in Trump’s 2024 Campaign
Miller played a pivotal role in Trump’s recent campaign, making impassioned appearances at rallies and energizing crowds with fiery speeches. At a rally in Madison Square Garden in the campaign’s final weeks, Miller was met with thunderous applause as he portrayed the election as a defining moment in American history. “Your salvation is at hand,” he declared, decrying “decades of abuse” allegedly causing job losses to foreign nations and domestic violence attributed to undocumented immigrants. He framed the election as a choice “between betrayal and renewal, between self-destruction and salvation.”
An Unchallenged Appointment Reflecting Trump’s ‘America First’ Agenda
Notably, Miller’s appointment does not require Senate confirmation, as it is not a Cabinet-level role. This swift appointment emphasizes the incoming administration’s commitment to reestablishing hard-line immigration policies and a resolute ‘America First’ approach to governance.