GOP Rep. Stutzman calls Miller’s promotion a ‘bad mistake’ as the White House vows no slowdown in immigration enforcement

Indiana Republican Rep. Marlin Stutzman said President Donald Trump made a “bad mistake” promoting aide Stephen Miller to White House chief of staff³. He said Miller should be fired over his immigration messaging and tone⁴.

Another account described a GOP lawmaker calling the promotion “a mistake”², and other Republican lawmakers also criticized Trump for picking Miller, one calling him a “megalomaniac”⁵.

The White House vowed not to slow down immigration enforcement in the wake of the midterm defeat¹. Trump’s promotion of Miller on Friday had already signalled no climbdown from the administration on the issue¹.

Deputy White House chief of staff Richard Walters is leaving his job ahead of Miller’s takeover⁶.

Why it matters to investors

Miller believes in almost limitless presidential power, considers the Democratic Party an extremist organization and favors ruthless crackdowns on immigration and foreign adversaries¹³. He is unlike anyone who has held the job under Trump, or in the modern era, and understands how to pull the levers of power to get his way¹³. His appointment sets the stage for two years of partisan warfare with the new Democratic-led Congress, which is likely to launch investigations¹³.

His elevation is a boon for those who want Trump to double down on mass deportation despite the party’s electoral rout¹². The White House’s pledge on enforcement, made days after the defeat, signals that immigration policy will not soften in response to the vote¹.

Democrats are preparing oversight. Rep. Garcia said “we’re of course going to investigate” Miller’s role in immigration policy¹⁰. A top Democrat said Miller will be called to testify before Congress, and that he will be subpoenaed to do so¹¹.

What to watch

Reactions from Democrats ranged widely. Abdul El-Sayed called Miller the “most broken man” to run “the most dysfunctional White House”, and criticized the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in American streets⁷. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who has long criticized Miller’s views on immigration, said “I’m not worried”⁸ and gave Trump a backhanded compliment over the promotion⁹.

The next markers are who replaces Walters in the deputy role⁶, whether more Republicans join Stutzman’s call^3,5, and whether the House calls Miller to testify once the new majority is seated^10,11.