Republican Senator Thom Tillis Demands Stephen Miller's Ouster from White House
In a striking rebuke from within his own party, Republican Senator Thom Tillis has called for the immediate removal of White House adviser Stephen Miller, labeling him a "big problem" for the Trump administration. Tillis made these comments during an appearance on CNN's State of the Union on Sunday, where he discussed the administration's controversial immigration crackdown.
Outsized Influence and Policy Concerns
When asked by host Jake Tapper if Miller should go, Tillis responded unequivocally: "Oh, of course I do." He elaborated that Miller is "not worried about substance" but rather "more worried about form," and accused him of wielding an "outsized influence" over cabinet operations. According to Tillis, this influence has hindered qualified cabinet members from performing their duties effectively, as they often act under Miller's direction.
Tillis highlighted specific instances where Miller's actions have caused embarrassment for President Trump, such as advocating for the United States to pursue Greenland and making hasty statements without proper forethought. "It was Stephen Miller who said it was the position of the United States that we should go after Greenland. And Stephen Miller, that's been repeatedly responsible for embarrassments for the President of the United States by acting too quickly speaking, first, and thinking later," Tillis stated.
Support for DHS Leadership Change
The senator, who is not seeking re-election this year, also addressed the recent leadership shake-up at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Tillis was the first Republican to call for the resignation or firing of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, whom he described as unqualified. He expressed optimism about her replacement, Markwayne Mullin, believing Mullin will operate independently from Miller's influence, despite Mullin repeating falsehoods about federal agents' killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
"It gives me pause that you had people like Stephen Miller calling the shots," Tillis added, emphasizing his concerns about Miller's control over DHS policies.
Democratic Calls for Broader Reforms
While Tillis focuses on personnel changes, Democratic leaders are pushing for more comprehensive reforms. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, speaking on NBC's Meet the Press, argued that simply replacing Noem is insufficient. He called for a "change in policy, not simply a change in personnel" to address issues within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Jeffries criticized Noem's tenure, stating she "called American citizens domestic terrorists without any justification whatsoever." He advocated for "dramatic, bold, meaningful and transformational changes" to ensure ICE conducts itself like other law enforcement agencies, rather than using taxpayer funds for brutality or killings.
This internal GOP criticism underscores ongoing tensions within the Trump administration over immigration strategies and the influence of key advisers like Stephen Miller.
