Senator Thom Tillis publicly urged that White House adviser Stephen Miller "should go," calling him "a big problem" whose influence, he says, hampers cabinet officials. Tillis voiced support for Representative Markwayne Mullin as a potential replacement for the current DHS leadership named in some reports, but noted concerns about Mullin repeating disputed claims. Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, argue that personnel changes are insufficient and are pressing for substantive policy reforms to rein in ICE and restore oversight.
Sen. Thom Tillis Says Stephen Miller 'Should Go' — Calls Him "A Big Problem" For Trump Administration
Stephen Miller at the Shield of the Americas summit at Trump National Doral Miami, in Doral, Florida, on Saturday.Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/Reuters(Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/Reuters)
Republican Senator Thom Tillis said on Sunday that he believes White House adviser Stephen Miller "should go," calling Miller's presence in the Trump administration "a big problem." Tillis made the comments during an interview on CNN's State of the Union as the program discussed the administration's tougher immigration policies.
On Miller's influence: Tillis criticized Miller's priorities and approach, saying Miller is "not worried about substance. He's more worried about form," and that he exerts an "outsized influence" across cabinet operations. "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," Tillis said.
"Oh, of course I do," Tillis replied when asked whether Miller should leave the White House.
Tillis also cited specific episodes he said illustrate Miller's problematic role, including public gaffes and policy pushes. "It gives me pause that you had people like Stephen Miller calling the shots," Tillis said, noting past controversial moments — for example Miller's public suggestion that the United States should "go after Greenland" — and accusing him of creating repeated embarrassments for the president by speaking too quickly and without sufficient reflection.
On the DHS leadership change: Tillis expressed support for Representative Markwayne Mullin as a replacement for the current Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leader named in some reports. He said he expects Mullin to resist undue influence from Miller. The interview also noted allegations that Mullin has repeated false or misleading claims about killings tied to federal agents.
Note on names and verification: Some news reports referenced in the original coverage identify Kristi Noem in connection with DHS leadership; however, Kristi Noem is the governor of South Dakota, and that particular attribution appears inconsistent with public records. This detail requires verification and should be corrected by publishers if inaccurate.
Democrats’ response and calls for reform: Democratic leaders say that personnel changes alone are insufficient. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told NBC's Meet the Press that changing officials will not be enough to reopen the government or restore full DHS funding without policy changes. "What we want is a situation where ICE is actually conducting itself like every other law enforcement agency in the country as opposed to using taxpayer dollars to brutalize or in some cases kill American citizens," Jeffries said. "What we need is a change in policy, not simply a change in personnel."
The clash underscores broader tensions in Washington over immigration enforcement and the role of influential White House advisers in shaping policy and public messaging.
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