Republican Senator Thom Tillis Demands Stephen Miller's Removal from Trump White House
Republican Senator Thom Tillis has publicly called for the removal of White House adviser Stephen Miller, describing him as a "big problem" within the Trump administration. During an appearance on CNN's State of the Union, Tillis expressed strong criticism of Miller's influence over immigration policies and cabinet operations.
"He's a Big Problem in This Administration"
When asked by host Jake Tapper whether Miller should leave his position, Tillis responded emphatically: "Oh, of course I do." The North Carolina senator elaborated on his concerns, stating that Miller prioritizes "form over substance" and wields excessive control over cabinet members' actions.
"He has an outsized influence over the operations of the cabinet," Tillis explained. "I believe we've got qualified cabinet members there that sometimes are doing less than what they want to, because of his direction and his outsized influence. He's a big problem in this administration. He has been from the beginning."
Immigration Policy and Cabinet Interference
The conversation occurred amid discussions about the administration's immigration enforcement measures. Tillis highlighted specific incidents where Miller's involvement had caused embarrassment for the administration, including the controversial suggestion that the United States should "go after Greenland."
"It was Stephen Miller who said it was the position of the United States that we should go after Greenland," Tillis noted. "And Stephen Miller, that's been repeatedly responsible for embarrassments for the President of the United States by acting too quickly speaking, first, and thinking later."
Department of Homeland Security Leadership Changes
This criticism comes as Tillis expressed support for Markwayne Mullin to replace Kristi Noem as Department of Homeland Security Secretary. Tillis, who was the first Republican to call for Noem's resignation or firing, believes Mullin will operate independently from Miller's influence despite concerns about Mullin repeating falsehoods regarding federal agent killings.
"It gives me pause that you had people like Stephen Miller calling the shots," Tillis added regarding the leadership transition.
Democratic Calls for Broader Reforms
While Tillis focuses on personnel changes, Democratic leaders are pushing for more comprehensive policy reforms. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized on NBC's Meet the Press that simply replacing Noem with Mullin won't address fundamental issues within immigration enforcement agencies.
"What we need is a change in policy, not simply a change in personnel," Jeffries stated. "Now, Kristi Noem was a disgrace. She was totally unqualified... She called American citizens domestic terrorists without any justification whatsoever. But we need dramatic, bold, meaningful and transformational changes to get ICE under control."
Jeffries argued that Immigration and Customs Enforcement should operate like other law enforcement agencies rather than using taxpayer funds to "brutalize or in some cases kill American citizens."
Political Context and Implications
Thom Tillis, who is not seeking re-election this year, has positioned himself as a critical voice within Republican circles regarding administration personnel and policies. His public condemnation of Stephen Miller represents significant intra-party criticism of one of the Trump administration's most influential immigration policy architects.
The debate over Miller's role and the future direction of immigration enforcement continues to divide political leaders, with Republicans focusing on personnel accountability while Democrats demand systemic policy overhauls.
