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Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, urged President Donald Trump to dismiss long-term advisor Stephen Miller from his team, labeling him as both an “embarrassment” and a significant “problem” for the administration.
These remarks from the North Carolina senator follow the recent, notable dismissal of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Tillis suggested that Miller should be the next to leave the West Wing, continuing his critique of the senior aide.
“It concerns me that figures like Stephen Miller are in charge,” Tillis conveyed to host Jake Tapper. “Stephen Miller has been known to speak about a terrorist wielding a gun. He has advocated for actions like acquiring Greenland on behalf of the U.S. His repeated quick actions have often resulted in embarrassment for the President, as he tends to speak before fully considering the consequences.”
Tillis, who is not seeking re-election, specifically criticized Miller’s involvement in shaping the administration’s stringent policies on illegal immigration.
While the GOP remains largely unified on the need for border security, Tillis argued that Miller’s methods and public rhetoric — including comments regarding the shooting death of Alex Pretti — have become a liability.
When asked directly by Tapper if he believes Miller should be fired, Tillis was unequivocal: “Oh, of course I do.”
“He’s not worried about substance. He’s more worried about form,” Tillis continued. “But I also think that he has an outsized influence over the operations of the Cabinet. And I believe we’ve got qualified Cabinet members there that sometimes are doing less than what they want to because of his direction and his outsized influence.”
“He’s a big problem in this administration, he has been from the beginning,” he added.
Tillis has been a longtime critic of Miller and Noem’s handling of deportation efforts.
Earlier this year, he blamed the two officials for hurting Trump’s legacy and was the first GOP senator to call for Noem to step down. He’s also previously called for Miller’s ouster.
Miller, known as the architect of some of the administration’s most aggressive immigration policies, is widely considered one of Trump’s most loyal and influential advisers. This high profile has attracted criticism but has also garnered him strong support from Republicans and Trump supporters.
A White House official pointed to a Hill report last month, when Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., led more than a dozen of his Republican colleagues in defending Miller and the “instrumental” role he has played in the administration.
“People can disagree with Stephen on rhetoric, and they can disagree with him on policy, but the question is, ‘Is Stephen Miller in jeopardy in Trump World?’ Absolutely not,” Graham said.
“Because of him and other members of the president’s team, critical priorities like stopping deadly fentanyl, unleashing America’s energy, and bringing much-needed economic relief for working families are now a reality for Pennsylvania,” Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., said.