Stephen Miller, the architect of Donald Trump’s toughest immigration policies, appears to have been hiding from the American public.
Miller, a longtime Trump adviser who served as deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security advisers, avoided public appearances after a disastrous immigration crackdown that left two U.S. citizens in Minnesota, Alex Pretty and Renee Goode, both 37, dead at the hands of federal agents, the New York Times reported.
Additionally, a Times analysis found that since Trump returned to the White House, Miller has appeared on the president’s favored Fox News channel once every four days. But after Pretty’s death on January 24, Miller only appeared twice on the network in February.
Despite nationwide outcry against the policies he helped enact, and polls in recent months ranking him as one of the most hated politicians in the United States, Miller is still presiding over the creation of a new zero-tolerance immigration policy, just not publicly.
Stephen Miller is one of the most influential figures in Donald Trump’s inner circle. /Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
In interviews with more than two dozen former and current White House and Trump administration officials, sources told The Times that Miller, 40, remains Trump’s right-hand man.
“Stephen was a trusted and fiercely loyal advisor to President Trump and was critical to delivering on the President’s historic first year in office,” White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt said in a statement to The Times. “Stephen has demonstrated remarkable efficiency and excellence in every policy initiative the President takes.” The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment.
Miller has served at DHS longer than other key figures, including ousted former secretary Kristi Noem, who was replaced last month by former Sen. Markwayne Mullin. Also kicked out were her alleged lover, Corey Lewandowski, and Border Patrol commander-at-large, Gregory Bovino.
Kristi Noem earned the nickname “ICE Barbie” for her on-camera crackdown on immigrants. /Alex Brandon/Pool/AFPGetty Images
However, Miller first sparked outrage when he reportedly labeled VA nurses protesting in Minneapolis as “potential assassins” in an X post immediately after Pretty’s death, even though multiple videos of the shooting told a very different story.
Officials say Miller is now focused on making it harder for undocumented immigrants to access public housing and other benefits. era. He also targeted those with refugee status.
Miller’s apparent efforts to keep a low profile don’t extend to his wife, Katie Miller, who has become one of MAGA’s loudest voices. In addition to his frequent tirade on X, the former White House aide also hosts a weekly podcast, Katie Miller Podcast.
Miller, who is expecting her fourth child, initially described the project as a “reflective call her daddy,” but critics say it has devolved into political propaganda, with a guest list made up largely of Trump’s A-list stars.