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 known for his role in the Trump administration. He served as a senior advisor for policy, White House director of speechwriting, and later as White House deputy chief of staff for policy and United States homeland security advisor. His political views are often described as far-right and anti-immigration, and he played a key role in developing and implementing controversial immigration policies during Trump's presidency. He's a controversial figure known for his nationalist views.
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: Joins John Shadegg's office
In early 2009, Stephen Miller joined John Shadegg's office, continuing his career in politics after working for Michele Bachmann.
2014: Works on Dave Brat's Campaign
In 2014, Stephen Miller worked on Dave Brat's successful House campaign, which resulted in unseating Republican majority leader Eric Cantor.
January 2016: Joins Trump Presidential Campaign
In January 2016, Stephen Miller joined Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign as a senior policy advisor.
March 2016: Campaign Spokesperson
Beginning in March 2016, Stephen Miller regularly spoke on behalf of the Trump campaign, acting as a "warm-up act" for Trump.
August 2016: Head of Trump's Economic Policy Team
In August 2016, Stephen Miller was named the head of Donald Trump's economic policy team, expanding his role in the campaign.
November 2016: Named National Policy Director of Transition Team
In November 2016, Stephen Miller was named national policy director of Trump's transition team, marking a critical step in the transition process.
December 13, 2016: Appointed Senior Advisor to the President
On December 13, 2016, Stephen Miller was announced as Senior Advisor to the President for Policy during the Trump administration.
2016: Joins Trump Presidential Campaign
In 2016, Stephen Miller joined Donald Trump's presidential campaign, later becoming a senior advisor and White House director of speechwriting.
2016: Influence on Donald Trump's Campaign
In 2016, Stephen Miller's concept of "nation-state populism", influenced by globalization and immigration, impacted Donald Trump's presidential campaign.
October 2017: Develops Immigration Reform Demands
In October 2017, Stephen Miller helped develop Trump's immigration reform demands to Congress, including increased border wall construction and stricter asylum policies.
2017: Trump Inaugural Address Speechwriter
In 2017, Stephen Miller helped write Trump's inaugural address and assumed responsibility for immigration policy, shaping the administration's approach.
2018: Influential Role in Trump's Messaging
In 2018, Stephen Miller played an influential role in President Trump's messaging, which focused on immigration fears during the midterm elections. The party lost 40 House seats, partly due to Miller's focus on "white identity politics".
January 2019: Reduced 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 for some immigrants in exchange for congressional support for funds to construct a border wall.
February 2019: Defended National Emergency Declaration
In February 2019, Stephen Miller defended Trump's declaration of national emergency to fund the border wall during a televised interview by Chris Wallace.
April 7, 2019: Involvement in Kirstjen Nielsen's Resignation
On April 7, 2019, Stephen Miller reportedly played a central role in the resignation of Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen. This was part of a larger department overhaul aimed at steering the Trump administration towards a tougher approach on immigration, after Nielsen opposed a plan Miller supported to carry out mass arrests of undocumented immigrant families.
2019: Attempt to use Public Health Powers for Border Restrictions
In 2019, emails showed that Stephen Miller had tried to use public health powers to implement border restrictions.
2020: Plans to Limit Asylum and Expand Travel Ban
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: Leaked Conversations on Border Restrictions
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaked conversations revealed that Stephen Miller wanted to extend temporary border restrictions to limit immigration long-term. He also advised Trump against openly embracing mask-wearing.
2020: Request to Seal U.S.-Mexico Border with Troops
In the spring of 2020, Stephen Miller requested the Department of Homeland Security develop a plan to use American troops to seal the entire U.S. border with Mexico. The plan, requiring 250,000 troops, was opposed by Defense Secretary Mark Esper and eventually abandoned.
April 7, 2021: Launched America First Legal Foundation
On April 7, 2021, Stephen Miller launched the America First Legal Foundation, a conservative legal organization.
2023: Pushed for Tougher Border Policies
In 2023, Stephen Miller was key to pushing Republican lawmakers to insert tougher border policies into a spending bill.
October 7, 2024: Speech at Trump Campaign Rally
On October 7, 2024, Stephen Miller gave a speech at a Donald Trump campaign rally in Madison Square Garden, stating "America is for Americans and Americans only."
November 13, 2024: Confirmed as Deputy Chief of Staff
On November 13, 2024, Trump confirmed Stephen Miller would serve as deputy chief of staff for policy and Homeland Security Advisor.
November 2024: Appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff
In November 2024, Stephen Miller was announced to serve as Trump's deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security advisor in his second term, marking a significant career milestone.
January 20, 2025: Takes Office as Deputy Chief of Staff
On January 20, 2025, Stephen Miller officially took office as Trump's deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security advisor.
February 2025: Involved in Economic Discussions Regarding Tariffs
In February 2025, Stephen Miller, along with Peter Navarro, were leading officials in the economic discussions regarding the imposition of tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico.
