Trump’s elevation of loyalist Stephen Miller to run the Stephen Miller White House operation signals more confrontation in the president’s final two years, according to officials and Republicans cited by the Straits Times. Miller was named White House chief of staff after the Nov. 3 midterm election, in which voters delivered a historic rebuke to Republicans.
Officials and experts expect the administration to continue its aggressive immigration crackdown, amplify cultural conflicts and give no ground to the Democratic-controlled Congress, the Straits Times reported. Four US immigration officials told Reuters, as cited by the Straits Times, that there have been no signs the administration will let up. One said, "Nothing is changing, same quotas."
Public support is weaker than when Trump took office. According to an October Reuters/Ipsos poll cited by the Straits Times, only 37% approve of Trump’s handling of immigration, down from 50% when he took office.
The Straits Times also reported that Miller opposes prolonging the war with Iran, according to three anonymous sources, but strongly supports Israel. That position could put him at odds with Trump. No on-record response from Miller on the Iran position is included in the reporting.
Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska said most of his House colleagues view Miller’s appointment as "doubling down on a failed strategy." The White House said Miller will deliver "historic successes." Bacon also said Miller "was in denial" about midterm warnings. That is Bacon’s own account, and Miller has not responded to it.
Miller joined Trump’s 2016 campaign and has served through both terms. He is best known for driving the immigration crackdown, which has galvanised supporters but alienated many voters. He succeeds Susie Wiles, a former lobbyist who was seen as a deft manager of competing interests. Some corporate lobbyists worry Miller will be less responsive to business issues.
What happens next is not fully settled. Officials expect the administration to rely more on executive orders than on lawmaking, and Republican legislators face pressure to stay in line during coming Democratic-led investigations.
The key details rest mainly on reporting from the Straits Times, and the Iran position depends on three anonymous sources. The reporting also does not confirm whether Dana White accepted an offered press secretary job, and the "same quotas" claim comes from one anonymous official with no official enforcement figures.
Sources
This article was written with AI assistance from the published reporting listed above. It is part of the World Brief daily news podcast.