November 11, 2024 — President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of his longtime adviser, Stephen Miller, to serve as deputy chief of policy in his upcoming administration. Miller, known for his hard-line stance on immigration and his influential role in shaping Trump’s policy agenda, will be a central figure in crafting the administration’s policy direction moving forward.
The announcement was confirmed by Vice President-elect JD Vance on Monday, who congratulated Miller on X (formerly Twitter). “This is another fantastic pick by the president,” Vance wrote, signaling strong approval of the selection. CNN was the first to report the news.
Miller, 39, has been one of Trump’s most loyal and enduring aides since the early days of his 2016 campaign. As a senior adviser in Trump’s first term, Miller played a pivotal role in shaping key policies, particularly in areas related to immigration and national security. He was at the forefront of the controversial “zero-tolerance” immigration policy in 2018, which led to the separation of thousands of immigrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border as part of an effort to deter illegal immigration.
A staunch advocate for restrictive immigration policies, Miller was also instrumental in drafting some of Trump’s most hard-hitting speeches. Known for his fiery rhetoric, Miller frequently appeared alongside the president during rallies, where he was often the public face of the administration’s more divisive policies.
Since leaving the White House, Miller has remained a prominent figure in conservative circles. He currently serves as president of America First Legal, a nonprofit organization that challenges the Biden administration’s policies and has taken on cases related to issues such as freedom of speech, religion, and national security. The organization has positioned itself as a conservative counterpoint to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), advocating for stricter government policies in these areas.
Miller’s role in Trump’s 2024 campaign also solidified his status as a key adviser in the president’s inner circle. He was a regular presence at campaign events, often delivering impassioned speeches that echoed many of the themes from the Trump administration’s first term. At a rally in Madison Square Garden, Miller rallied the crowd with his stark warning about America’s future under a Biden administration, describing the nation as having suffered from “decades of abuse” from illegal immigration and job outsourcing.
“Your salvation is at hand,” Miller declared to cheers from the crowd. He cast the election as a choice between “betrayal and renewal” and framed Trump as the savior of the American people, vowing to restore the nation’s strength and prosperity. His speeches often featured pointed attacks on illegal immigration, criminal gangs, and what he characterized as the “looting” of American jobs by foreign nations.
As deputy chief of policy, Miller will likely continue to shape the administration’s approach to immigration, national security, and other core issues central to Trump’s political identity. His appointment signals that the president-elect is maintaining his commitment to hardline, populist policies that resonate with his base, particularly in the wake of the 2024 election, which saw significant gains among working-class voters who supported Trump’s stance on immigration and trade.
Miller’s appointment is expected to further solidify Trump’s connection with the conservative, immigration-focused wing of the Republican Party. His hard-hitting approach to policy and his ability to galvanize the president’s supporters will likely continue to be a defining feature of the new administration’s early years.
As Trump prepares to take office in January, the appointment of Miller underscores the president-elect’s resolve to maintain continuity with his previous administration’s policy agenda, ensuring that the hardline positions on immigration and national security will remain at the forefront of his second term.
For now, Miller’s return to the White House represents a continuation of the populist, nationalist vision that has characterized Trump’s political brand since his 2016 victory. The coming months will reveal how his influence will shape the next phase of American politics.