Major Controversies Surrounding Stephen Miller (political advisor): A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Stephen Miller (political advisor).

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

2015: Emails to Breitbart News

Between 2015 and 2016, Stephen Miller sent over 900 emails to Breitbart News writer Katie McHugh, which became the basis for an exposé on Miller's views.

August 3, 2016: Attendance at Controversial Meeting

On August 3, 2016, Stephen Miller reportedly attended a controversial meeting that included George Nader, Wikistrat CEO Joel Zamel, Erik Prince, and Donald Trump Jr., representing two Arab princes.

2016: Emails to Breitbart News

Between 2015 and 2016, Stephen Miller sent over 900 emails to Breitbart News writer Katie McHugh, which became the basis for an exposé on Miller's views.

2016: False claims regarding electoral fraud

In 2016, Stephen Miller falsely said there was significant voter fraud in the 2016 presidential election and that "thousands of illegal voters were bused in" to New Hampshire, without providing any evidence.

2016: Spencer's Claims About Mentoring Miller

In a 2016 interview, Richard Spencer claimed he had mentored Stephen Miller at Duke, but Miller has since repudiated Spencer's views.

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.

February 2017: Report on Miller's Intolerance While at Duke

In February 2017, The News & Observer reported that Duke University's former senior vice president described Miller as "incredibly intolerant" during his time at Duke.

May 2017: Role in Firing of James Comey

In May 2017, Stephen Miller played an influential role in Donald Trump's decision to fire FBI director James Comey.

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.

September 2017: Pressure to Cancel DACA

In September 2017, Stephen Miller and other White House officials successfully pressured Trump to cancel Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

September 2017: Stops Publication of Positive Refugee Study

In September 2017, The New York Times reported that Stephen Miller stopped the Trump administration from showing the public an internal study that found that refugees had a net positive effect on government revenues.

October 2017: Immigration Reform Demands to Congress

In October 2017, Donald Trump, influenced by Stephen Miller and Jeff Sessions, provided a list of immigration reform demands to Congress, including border wall construction and increased ICE agents, in exchange for action on DACA recipients.

November 2017: Interviewed by Robert Mueller

In November 2017, Stephen Miller was interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller in relation to his role in James Comey's dismissal.

November 2017: Contact with George Papadopoulos

In November 2017, it was reported that Stephen Miller was in regular contact with George Papadopoulos during the Trump campaign regarding Papadopoulos's discussions with Russian government officials.

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.

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January 11, 2018: Invites Anti-Immigration Senators to Immigration Reform Meeting

On January 11, 2018, Stephen Miller invited anti-immigration Senators to an Oval Office meeting about immigration reform attended by Democratic and Republican Senators.

April 2018: Advocating Drone Attack on Migrant Ship

In April 2018, Stephen Miller allegedly argued with Paul F. Zukunft and advocated for a drone attack on a migrant ship heading for the US, claiming that the people on board were not protected by the US constitution since they were in international waters.

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.

May 2018: Attendance at Controversial Meeting

In May 2018, it was reported that Stephen Miller had attended a controversial meeting which included George Nader on behalf of two Arab princes, Wikistrat CEO Joel Zamel, Erik Prince, and Donald Trump Jr., on August 3, 2016.

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.

August 13, 2018: Essay by David S. Glosser published

On August 13, 2018, Politico published an essay by Stephen Miller's uncle, David S. Glosser, titled "Stephen Miller Is an Immigration Hypocrite. I Know Because I'm His Uncle", detailing the Glosser family's immigration history.

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.

April 2019: Ilhan Omar's White Nationalist Accusation

In April 2019, Representative Ilhan Omar called Stephen Miller a white nationalist, leading to accusations of anti-Semitism against her.

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 due to his belief that she was insufficiently hawkish on immigration.

November 2019: Omar Reshares Tweet

In November 2019, following the Southern Poverty Law Center's exposé, Ilhan Omar reshared her April tweet calling Stephen Miller a white nationalist, stating that "now we have the emails to prove it".

November 2019: Emails Promoting White Nationalist Articles

In November 2019, leaked emails showed that Stephen Miller had promoted articles from white nationalist publications VDARE and American Renaissance.

November 2019: Southern Poverty Law Center Exposé

In November 2019, the Southern Poverty Law Center acquired emails from 2015-2016 showing that Stephen Miller had pushed white nationalist views, leading to calls for his resignation.

2019: Attempt to Impose Border Restrictions

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

July 2020: Added to SPLC's List of Extremists

In July 2020, Stephen Miller was added to the Southern Poverty Law Center's list of extremists.

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: 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.

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.

2022: Mark Esper's claim about al-Baghdadi

In 2022, former defense secretary Mark Esper claimed in his book "A Sacred Oath" that Stephen Miller suggested dipping al-Baghdadi's head in pig's blood and parading it around. Miller denied the claim.

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.