Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Stephen Miller (political advisor)

Discover the career path of Stephen Miller (political advisor), from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Stephen Miller is an American political advisor who served as a senior advisor and director of speechwriting for President Donald Trump. Since 2025, he has been the United States Homeland Security Advisor and White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy. He is a member of the Republican Party. Miller's political views are often described as far-right, and he is known for his anti-immigration stance.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2009: Communications Director for Senator Jeff Sessions

In 2009, Stephen Miller became the communications director for Senator Jeff Sessions, marking a significant step in his political career.

2009: Press Secretary for Michele Bachmann and John Shadegg

In 2009, Stephen Miller began working as a press secretary for Congresswoman Michele Bachmann after being connected by David Horowitz. Later, Horowitz helped Miller get a position with Congressman John Shadegg in early 2009.

2009: Joins Jeff Sessions' Office

In 2009, Stephen Miller started working for Alabama senator Jeff Sessions and eventually became his communications director.

2014: Work on Dave Brat's House Campaign

In 2014, Stephen Miller worked on Dave Brat's successful House campaign.

January 2015: Publication of Immigration Handbook for the New Republican Majority

In January 2015, Stephen Miller and Jeff Sessions issued the Immigration Handbook for the New Republican Majority.

January 2016: Joins Trump's 2016 Presidential Campaign

In January 2016, Stephen Miller joined Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign as a senior policy advisor.

February 8, 2016: Interview with InfoWars

On February 8, 2016, Stephen Miller participated in an interview with InfoWars, during which he praised the site and its owner, Alex Jones, for its coverage of immigration and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

March 2016: Speaks on Campaign's Behalf

Beginning in March 2016, Stephen Miller regularly spoke on the Trump campaign's behalf as a "warm-up act".

August 2016: Named Head of Trump's Economic Policy Team

In August 2016, Stephen Miller was named the head of Donald Trump's economic policy team.

November 2016: Named National Policy Director of Trump's Transition Team

In November 2016, Stephen Miller was named national policy director of Donald Trump's transition team.

December 13, 2016: Named Senior Advisor to the President for Policy

On December 13, 2016, it was announced that Stephen Miller would serve as Senior Advisor to the President for Policy during the Trump administration.

2016: Joins Donald Trump's Presidential Campaign

In 2016, Stephen Miller joined Donald Trump's presidential campaign, later becoming a senior advisor and White House director of speechwriting in the Trump administration.

2016: Influence on Trump's 2016 Campaign

In 2016, Stephen Miller's development of "nation-state populism" influenced Donald Trump's campaign.

February 2017: Criticism of federal courts

In February 2017, Stephen Miller criticized the federal courts for blocking Trump's travel ban, accusing the judiciary of overreach. His assertion was met with criticism from legal experts.

August 2, 2017: Heated exchange with Jim Acosta

On August 2, 2017, Stephen Miller had a heated exchange with CNN's Jim Acosta regarding the Trump administration's support for the RAISE Act and immigration policies. Miller disputed the connection between the Statue of Liberty and immigration.

2017: Helps Write Trump's Inaugural Address

In 2017, Stephen Miller helped write Donald Trump's inaugural address as a speechwriter.

January 7, 2018: Appearance on CNN's State of the Union

On January 7, 2018, Stephen Miller appeared on Jake Tapper's State of the Union on CNN and called Steve Bannon's comments "grotesque", praised the president, questioned the legitimacy of CNN, and refused to leave the studio after the interview, requiring security escort.

Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House

Check it on Amazon

April 2018: Directing Agencies to End Catch and Release

In April 2018, Stephen Miller, along with Gene Hamilton, wrote a Presidential memorandum directing agencies to end catch and release, and a letter by Attorney General Sessions to articulate a "zero tolerance" policy.

July 2018: Firing of Jennifer Arangio

In July 2018, Jennifer Arangio, a senior White House official, was fired after advocating that the United States remain in the Global Compact for Migration and correcting misleading information presented by Miller about refugees.

2018: Influential Role in Midterm Messaging

In 2018, Stephen Miller played an influential role in Trump's messaging, focusing on immigration fears, which contributed to the party losing 40 seats in the House.

2018: Proposal to Stop Student Visas to Chinese Nationals

In early 2018, Stephen Miller proposed stopping student visas to Chinese nationals to reduce Chinese espionage and hurt elite universities critical of Trump. The proposal gained support within the Trump administration but faced opposition.

January 2019: Reducing Immigrant Protections

In January 2019, Stephen Miller reportedly reduced the number of immigrants who would receive protections as part of a proposed offer by Trump to grant protections in exchange for congressional support for funds to construct a border wall.

February 2019: Defense of national emergency declaration

In February 2019, Stephen Miller defended Trump's declaration of national emergency to fund the border wall during a televised interview with Chris Wallace.

April 7, 2019: Role in Kirstjen Nielsen's Resignation

On April 7, 2019, Stephen Miller reportedly played a central role in Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen's resignation, as part of a larger department overhaul to enforce a tougher stance on immigration.

October 2019: Against Kevin McAleenan's Resignation

In October 2019, Stephen Miller was against the resignation of acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin McAleenan.

2019: Attempt to Impose Border Restrictions

In 2019, Stephen Miller tried to use public health powers to implement border restrictions, according to leaked emails.

2020: Plan to Send Alternate Electors to Congress

After Trump lost the 2020 election, on December 14, Stephen Miller described on television a plan to send "alternate" slates of electors to Congress.

2020: Plans if Trump Reelected

During the 2020 election, Stephen Miller stated that if Trump were reelected, the administration would seek to limit asylum, target sanctuary city policies, expand the "travel ban," and cut work visas.

2020: Subpoenaed by Federal Grand Jury

In 2020, Stephen Miller and Brian Jack were subpoenaed by a federal grand jury investigating attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election, focusing on the January 6 United States Capitol attack.

2020: Speech preparation for Trump's rally

In 2020, Stephen Miller prepared the remarks that Trump delivered at the rally supporting false claims that the election had been stolen. Following this rally, many attendees walked to the U.S. Capitol and stormed it.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Actions

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Stephen Miller wanted to extend border restrictions long term, advised Trump against mask-wearing, and requested a plan to seal the U.S. border with Mexico using American troops.

January 6, 2021: Alternate electors introduction plan

On January 6, 2021, the alternate slates that Stephen Miller planned to send to Congress, could have been introduced as challenges to the true results when Congress counted the electoral votes.

March 2021: Publication of alternate electors documents

In March 2021, the watchdog group American Oversight published the documents related to the alternate slates planned by Stephen Miller, but they received little attention until January 2022.

April 7, 2021: Launch of America First Legal Foundation

On April 7, 2021, Stephen Miller launched the America First Legal Foundation, a conservative legal organization.

January 2022: Criminal Investigation Request

In January 2022, Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel requested the U.S. Justice Department to open a criminal investigation regarding the alternate slates planned by Stephen Miller after a months-long investigation.

September 8, 2022: Subpoenaed by Federal Grand Jury

On September 8, 2022, Stephen Miller and Brian Jack were subpoenaed by a federal grand jury investigating attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election, focusing on the January 6 United States Capitol attack.

2023: Push for Tougher Border Policies

In 2023, Stephen Miller was key to pushing Republican lawmakers to insert tougher border policies into a spending bill.

October 27, 2024: Speech at Trump Campaign Rally

On October 27, 2024, Stephen Miller gave a speech at the Donald Trump campaign rally in Madison Square Garden, outlining Trump's hardline immigration policies.

November 13, 2024: Appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff

On November 13, 2024, Trump confirmed that Stephen Miller would serve as deputy chief of staff for policy and Homeland Security Advisor.

November 2024: Appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor

In November 2024, it was announced that Stephen Miller would serve as Donald Trump's deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security advisor in his second term.

January 2025: Meeting with Mark Zuckerberg

In January 2025, Stephen Miller met with Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, pushing him to adopt policies more favorable to Trump.

January 20, 2025: Takes Office as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor

On January 20, 2025, Stephen Miller took office as Donald Trump's deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security advisor, becoming the youngest person and the first millennial to hold the position.

February 2025: Economic discussions regarding tariffs

In February 2025, Stephen Miller and Peter Navarro were leading officials in the economic discussions regarding the imposition of tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico.

April 2025: Actions against higher education

In April 2025, Stephen Miller became a leading official in the Trump administration's actions against higher education, which included revoking federal funding to universities in order to demand policy changes.

2025: Appointment as Homeland Security Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff

In 2025, Stephen Miller assumed the roles of the 12th United States homeland security advisor and White House deputy chief of staff for policy.

2025: Project 2025

In 2025, The foundation created by Miller, America First Legal Foundation, was previously listed as a supporter of Project 2025 and appeared on its advisory board, though the group later asked to be removed from it. Miller himself appeared on a promotional video for Project 2025.