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 influential role in the Trump administration. He served as a senior advisor for policy, White House director of speechwriting, and later as a key architect of Trump's immigration policies. Often described as far-right and anti-immigration, Miller's policies and rhetoric have been controversial. Since 2025, he is the 12th United States homeland security advisor and White House deputy chief of staff for policy.

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, who later became the United States attorney general under President Trump.

2009: Joins Jeff Sessions' Office

In 2009, Stephen Miller began working for Alabama senator Jeff Sessions, eventually becoming Sessions' communications director.

2014: Works on Dave Brat's Campaign

In 2014, Stephen Miller also worked on Dave Brat's successful House campaign, which unseated Republican majority leader Eric Cantor.

January 2016: Joins Trump Campaign

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

February 8, 2016: Interview with InfoWars

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

March 2016: Campaign Speaker

Beginning in March 2016, Stephen Miller regularly spoke on the campaign's behalf, serving 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.

November 2016: Named National Policy Director of Transition Team

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

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

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

2016: Nation-State Populism

In 2016, Miller and Sessions developed what Miller describes as "nation-state populism", which influenced Donald Trump's 2016 campaign.

2016: Joins Trump's Presidential Campaign

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

August 2, 2017: Heated exchange with CNN's Jim Acosta

On August 2, 2017, Stephen Miller engaged in a heated exchange with CNN's Jim Acosta at a White House briefing regarding the Trump administration's support for the RAISE Act. The debate centered on the connection between the Statue of Liberty and immigration, with Miller disputing Acosta's interpretation of the statue's welcoming message.

October 2017: Trump's Immigration Reform Demands

In October 2017, Trump provided a list of immigration reform demands to Congress; Stephen Miller and Jeff Sessions helped develop the demands.

2017: Distances Himself from Bannon

In 2017, Stephen Miller distanced himself from Steve Bannon as Bannon fell out of favor with others in the White House.

2017: Speechwriter for Trump's Inaugural Address

In 2017, Stephen Miller helped write Trump's inaugural address as a speechwriter and became a key advisor from the early days of Trump's presidency.

October 2018: Proposed student visa ban for Chinese nationals

In October 2018, Stephen Miller proposed stopping the provision of student visas to Chinese nationals to reduce Chinese espionage and hurt elite universities critical of Trump. This proposal gained support from Peter Navarro but faced opposition from Terry Branstad, who argued it would harm U.S. trade with China.

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

On April 7, 2019, Stephen Miller played a central role in the resignation of Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen due to her opposition to Miller's plan for mass arrests of undocumented immigrant families. Miller was also leaking information to the Washington Examiner to publish anti-immigration stories criticizing Nielsen.

April 2019: Role in Kirstjen Nielsen's Resignation

In April 2019, Stephen Miller reportedly played a central role in the resignation of Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, believing she was insufficiently hawkish on immigration.

2019: Attempt to use public health powers for border restrictions

In 2019, Stephen Miller tried to use public health powers to implement long-term border restrictions, as revealed in leaked emails.

April 7, 2021: Launched America First Legal Foundation

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

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 that Stephen Miller would serve as deputy chief of staff for policy and Homeland Security Advisor.

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

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

January 2025: Met with Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg

In January 2025, Stephen Miller met with Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg to push for policies more favorable to Trump. He has also developed a close relationship with Elon Musk.

January 20, 2025: Takes Office

On January 20, 2025, Stephen Miller 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 and Peter Navarro were leading officials in the economic discussions regarding the imposition of tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico.