Stephen Miller’s Rise Ends Recusals and Signals Trump’s Harder Line
A historic midterm setback
Democrats won the national House vote by nearly 13 percent, a margin that could grow as California counts more ballots. The article contrasts that result with Republican gains of 6.8 percent in 1994 and 2010, and an 8 percent Democratic advantage in 2006.
Democrats also made gains in states including South Carolina, Kansas, Mississippi and Texas. Past presidents responded to midterm defeats with major shifts: Bill Clinton embraced triangulation after 1994, while George W. Bush fired Donald Rumsfeld after the 2006 election.
Trump’s words and actions
In an interview with Ross Douthat on 60 Minutes, Trump said his immigration policy may have been too tough and expressed interest in a broad deal. He suggested migrants who had committed no crime might be allowed to remain in the United States.
The article argues that Trump’s actions point elsewhere. After the midterms, he dismissed chief of staff Susie Wiles and chose Miller, a prominent advocate of hard-line immigration policies.
Miller’s expanded influence
Miller helped shape the family separation policy during Trump’s first term. In the second, he has been involved in the border crackdown, the suspension of refugee programs and deportation operations, according to the account.
His role has also extended beyond immigration. The article says Miller pushed strikes on civilian boats in the Caribbean, helped target political opponents and universities, and oversaw a federal crackdown in the District of Columbia.
A contrast over immigration
Trump said he had been politically hurt by deportations that affected people with jobs and other contributions to the country, while also noting support for removing people who entered the country illegally. His comments described a tension between enforcement and the treatment of migrants who had committed no other violation.
The article presents Miller’s appointment as evidence that Trump’s talk of compromise may not reflect his governing choices. It warns that putting a hard-line adviser in the chief of staff role could deepen the conflict over the administration’s policies.
Key points
- Democrats won the national House vote by nearly 13 percent, according to the article.
- Trump replaced Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller after the midterm losses.
- Trump expressed interest in an immigration deal during a 60 Minutes interview.
- Miller has been involved in immigration enforcement and other administration actions.