Stephen Miller: From behind the scenes to center stage

Stephen Miller has solidified himself as one of the most influential figures in Trump World, and is increasingly being seen in front of the camera in addition to his work behind the scenes.

Miller, who was instrumental in the first Trump administration as a speechwriter and policy adviser on immigration, has elevated his profile during the first 60 days of President Trump’s second term. 

He is at the forefront of efforts to limit immigration pathways and deport individuals who entered the country illegally. He is arguably the face of the administration’s clash with a federal judge over deportation flights carrying alleged Venezuelan gang members. And he is a frequent presence on television, a shift from the first administration that underscores his growing influence.

“He is the one who’s tasked with driving Trump's agenda policy-wise, and at times messaging-wise,” one source close to the White House told The Hill. “And you can see what happens when it’s big items like the Alien Enemies Act, he’s the guy who's taking the lead and saying 'I'm shutting down anyone who’s trying to derail this.'"

“It shows you the type of trust Stephen has,” the source added.

Miller, who previously worked as a staffer for then-Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), was a top adviser in Trump’s first term and became one of the president’s most trusted aides. He built on that trust during their four years out of the White House.

Miller launched America First Legal, which pursued legal action against Biden administration initiatives and so-called woke policies that Trump campaigned against in 2024, such as transgender rights and diversity initiatives.

As Trump campaigned for the White House, Miller got to work crafting policy blueprints for a second term.

While polling indicated that the economy helped Trump secure victory in last November’s election, he has said he believes immigration was a bigger factor. That makes Miller, who is the deputy chief of staff and homeland security adviser, a particularly influential person in Trump’s circle of trusted aides.

Proposals to use the Alien Enemies Act — a law passed in 1798 — to deport alleged gang members, efforts to pause refugee and other visa programs and plans for an expanded travel ban are largely the work of Miller and border czar Tom Homan, sources told The Hill.

“A lot of this work is emanating from Stephen Miller,” said one source in Trump’s orbit.

Miller’s wife, Katie, is also involved in the administration. She worked with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on his confirmation proceedings, and she is working with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in its push to slash the size of the government.

“Stephen Miller has loyally stood by President Trump’s side for nearly a decade. He’s been able to channel President Trump’s message and voice as his speechwriter on the campaign trail and in the White House, and has applied his intellect to shape President Trump’s policies to put America First,” White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement to The Hill. “Stephen remains a critical asset for the second Trump administration to deliver on President Trump’s mandate to Make America Great Again.”

During Trump’s first term, Stephen Miller tended to brief reporters behind closed doors on the administration’s plans. Roughly two months into Trump’s second term, Miller has relished going toe-to-toe with reporters and television anchors who are skeptical of White House policies.

Miller has sparred with CNN anchors, producing viral clips shared widely among MAGA social media accounts. He has also used appearances on Fox News to hit back at critics, including a recent appearance where he slammed “Saturday Night Live” over its portrayal of Trump. And Miller has regularly stopped to chat with reporters on the White House driveway to aggressively defend the administration’s policies.

Miller’s combative approach is not for everyone. It has rubbed some Trump allies the wrong way and has made him an easy target for criticism among Democrats, and his efforts have made him the face of some of the president’s most controversial policies.

“He’s become a very, very powerful force,” the source close to the White House told The Hill. “He’s earned it. He can be a little brash. He can be a bull in a china shop. But he does bring the receipts.”

Tariff uncertainty

Economists, the stock market and world leaders are holding their breath ahead of what Trump has dubbed “Liberation Day” for America when reciprocal tariffs are set to go into effect next Wednesday.

But Trump himself created fresh uncertainty around the announcement when he told reporters he “may give a lot of countries breaks” on reciprocal tariffs to start.

The president also signaled additional tariffs on specific goods could be coming as early as this week but offered no definitive timeline. He cited automobiles, lumber and semiconductors as areas that could be targeted.

White House officials have been similarly vague about when sector-based tariffs might go into effect. Sources told The Hill there are competing viewpoints among White House advisers about how aggressively to use tariffs and what the economic fallout will be.

But Trump is a true believer in the effectiveness of tariffs. He views the mere threat of tariffs as a way to extract concessions from other countries and a way to draw in private investment, as he did this week with Hyundai.

As one Trump ally put it, “This is always a negotiation.”

Musk’s media tour continues

Elon Musk’s media tour is rolling on, as the Tesla CEO and top adviser to the president will sit down with Fox News anchor Bret Baier later this week.

There was some talk among Trump allies that Musk’s media appearances may be curbed after an aside about the need to address waste in Social Security became fodder for Democrats who viewed it as an attack on the program.

But that is not the case. In fact, the interview with Baier, which will include several DOGE staffers, will likely be the hardest-hitting one Musk has done since joining the White House as a special government employee.

He previously sat down with former Trump administration official and Fox Business Network host Larry Kudlow, an appearance that was generally friendly and offered Musk a chance to share some details about his efforts to cut spending.