GOP Senator Thom Tillis Calls for Stephen Miller to Leave White House, Says He’s ‘Out of His Depth’
Senator Thom Tillis is calling for Stephen Miller to leave the White House, criticizing the senior adviser’s influence inside Donald Trump’s administration.
During an interview on State of the Union with host Jake Tapper on Sunday, Tillis said Miller has played a problematic role in shaping policy decisions and has caused repeated issues for the administration.
When asked whether Miller should be removed from his position, Tillis responded directly: “Oh, of course I do.”
The North Carolina Republican argued that Miller focuses more on messaging than policy details. “Stephen really wants to paint a picture. He’s not worried about substance. He’s more worried about form,” Tillis said.
Tillis also expressed concern that Miller holds too much influence over Cabinet operations. According to the senator, some Cabinet members may not be able to fully carry out their responsibilities because of Miller’s role in directing policy.
“I believe we have qualified Cabinet members there that sometimes are doing less than what they want to because of his direction and his outsized influence,” Tillis said.
Tillis has previously criticized Miller and former Kristi Noem over their handling of a controversial incident in Minneapolis earlier this year. The two officials had claimed that Renee Good and Alex Pretti—two U.S. citizens—were acting unlawfully before they were fatally shot by federal immigration officers, a statement that drew criticism from several lawmakers.
Meanwhile, Markwayne Mullin is preparing for confirmation hearings to replace Noem as head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Tillis expressed confidence that Mullin would bring a more independent approach to immigration enforcement. He said the Oklahoma senator would rely on data and law enforcement expertise to guide decisions on deportation policy.
“He will leverage law enforcement resources and expertise to get things right,” Tillis said. “And if he doesn’t, we’d hold him accountable.”
The retiring senator added that he believes Mullin could help restore stability at DHS as the administration continues to pursue its immigration agenda.
