Stutzman Says Trump Should Remove Miller After GOP Defeat
Indiana Republican Rep. Marlin Stutzman called President Donald Trump’s decision to appoint Stephen Miller as his chief of staff a mistake, saying on November 8 that Trump should remove him after Republicans’ poor election results. Stutzman spoke with CNN’s Manu Raju and said the party needed to fire people after taking such a beating, rather than promote those responsible for what it had hoped to accomplish.
Stutzman said Miller was not well liked in the Midwest and criticized his tone. He argued that Miller had not presented a more comprehensive immigration solution and was not the right person to communicate with the public. Stutzman said Miller might be better suited to confront Democrats in Washington.
Trump announced on November 6 that Susie Wiles would leave the chief of staff role to join his political operation. Miller, previously deputy chief of staff, was named to replace her. Trump described Miller as one of his most trusted advisers. White House spokesperson Lauren Bis defended him as a key figure in delivering Trump’s America First agenda.
Stutzman said a new face could show voters that Republicans were listening to their concerns. Other Republicans have also criticized the appointment, including North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who called Miller the worst possible choice. An ABC News poll conducted before Election Day found that 60 percent of voters disapproved of the administration’s handling of immigration. Stutzman has said he will support Rep. Jim Jordan to replace Mike Johnson as House Republican leader.
Trump Doubles Down on Miller After Voters Reject GOP Immigration Push
The election defeat has not prompted a change in direction at the White House: Trump has elevated Stephen Miller, a leading force behind the administration’s mass-deportation push, to chief of staff. Indiana Republican Rep. Marlin Stutzman said on November 8 that the move was a mistake and that Trump should fire him instead.
Stutzman said Miller’s tone was unpopular in the Midwest and that he had not offered a comprehensive immigration solution. He said Miller was the wrong messenger to the public, and that a fresh face could show voters the party was listening. That warning comes as an ABC News poll before Election Day found 60 percent of voters disapproved of the administration’s handling of immigration.
Trump announced November 6 that Susie Wiles would leave the chief of staff post for his political operation, and named Miller, her deputy, as her replacement. Trump called Miller one of his most trusted advisers. White House spokesperson Lauren Bis defended Miller as central to delivering the president’s agenda.
Stutzman’s criticism is not isolated among Republicans: Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina called Miller the worst possible choice. Stutzman said Miller might be more useful fighting Democrats in Washington than speaking to Americans. His call for a new face underscores the political cost Republicans could face if they treat voter dissatisfaction as a reason to promote the same approach.
Republican Infighting Follows Election Defeat as Stutzman Targets Miller
Republican Rep. Marlin Stutzman is urging President Donald Trump to fire Stephen Miller after the party’s election defeat, arguing that promoting a senior aide sends the wrong signal. Stutzman said on November 8 that when a team takes a beating, leaders should replace those responsible rather than elevate them.
Stutzman criticized Miller’s tone and said he was not well liked in the Midwest. He also argued that Miller would be better used confronting Democrats in Washington than serving as the administration’s public voice. Stutzman said a fresh face could show voters Republicans were listening to their concerns.
Trump announced November 6 that Susie Wiles was leaving the chief of staff job to join his political operation, and Miller was named her successor. Miller had been deputy chief of staff and a driving force behind the administration’s mass-deportation effort. Trump called him one of his most trusted advisers, while White House spokesperson Lauren Bis praised his role in advancing the president’s agenda.
Stutzman is not the only Republican to object: Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina described Miller as an especially poor choice. An ABC News poll before Election Day found 60 percent of voters disapproved of the administration’s handling of immigration. But Stutzman’s proposed remedy—replacing a trusted adviser—risks turning a debate over the party’s direction into public blame among Republicans. He also said he would back Jim Jordan to replace Mike Johnson as House GOP leader.
Reported by CNN, The Daily Beast.
