No surprise, then, that Stephen Miller, the White House’s deputy chief of staff for policy, has once again seized the spotlight. Among the public, he is best known as the architect of former President Donald Trump’s inhumane immigration policies. His recent comments at a right-wing gathering caused a firestorm of controversy. His divisive promotion of white identity politics and his decades-long resentment over America’s shifting demographics are now justifiably on display.
Miller, who has been influential in shaping Trump’s rhetoric and policies, spoke at Charlie Kirk’s funeral last year, where he emphasized the idea that the legacy of Western civilization is rooted in historical contexts. He stated, “Our lineage and our legacy hails back to Athens, to Rome, to Philadelphia, to Monticello. Our ancestors built the cities. They produced the art and architecture. They built the industry. We stand for what is good, what is virtuous and what is noble.”
His condescending remarks expose a patronizing, paternalistic worldview that millions came to recognize as ugly, divisive, and insidiously racist. This is particularly insidious when he raises alarms over the so-called replacement of white Americans. Miller proved years ago that if white men became a minority, things would get really bad for everybody. This perspective aligns with sentiments expressed by others in conservative circles, including Elon Musk, who stated, “If white men become a minority, we will be slaughtered… White solidarity is the only way to survive.”
Miller’s hand on the tiller of Trump’s immigration policy is extensively documented. The theme of uniting the West runs throughout Trump’s speeches. He wants to unite everyone against scary outsiders. Miller, who vividly accuses America of mass-importing foreign cultures, would go along with doing just that. He further contends that these pernicious cultures have consistently produced failed societies over the course of human history. He remarked on the situation in Minnesota, referencing Somali immigrants: “The situation in Minnesota reminds us that the west cannot mass-import foreign cultures which have failed to ever build a successful society of their own.”
Miller’s implementation of immigration policies that serve his vision of a white America have been widely examined. Leaked emails have revealed his ongoing ties to white nationalist groups and ideologies, raising questions about the implications of his influence on national policy. His worldview extends to personal reflections. He tweeted about watching a Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra family TV show from 1967, concluding with a critical perspective: “Imagine watching that and thinking America needed infinity migrants from the third world.”
During his tenure, Miller has become synonymous with transforming Trump’s casual remarks into policy statements that resonate with a certain base of supporters. He’s often called the guy who takes Trump’s barroom talk and turns it into “Make America great again” holy writ. This role has further entrenched his position within the administration as an important gatekeeper, setting the tone and direction for immigration discourse.
Critics claim that this type of Miller’s incendiary and nasty rhetoric further divides American society and feeds into damaging stereotypes about immigrant communities. Trump’s comments targeted at immigrants from the east African country of Somalia serve to crystalize this dynamic. He has previously stated, “We got a lot of bad genes in our country right now,” while making derogatory comments regarding Somali immigrants’ intelligence.