Who is Stephen Miller? Trumps new Chief of Staff who once criticised India over Russian trade, oil
Miller has made several statements criticising India, particularly over its purchases of Russian oil and trade policies.
PTC News Desk: Stephen Miller, who played a key role in shaping some of Donald Trump's strictest immigration and domestic policies, has been named the new White House Chief of Staff. The announcement came shortly after Trump said that his current Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, would step down. The development follows the Republican Party's loss of control of Congress in this week's midterm elections.
The Republicans' poor performance in the midterms has reportedly raised questions about whether Trump's policies have affected his support among Indian Americans. The community had shown increasing support for the Republican Party during the 2024 presidential campaign, but the trend appears different this time. Several Indian-American Democratic candidates have won elections, strengthening the presence of the so-called 'Samosa Caucus'.
Miller served as White House Deputy Chief of Staff during Trump's second term. He has made several statements criticising India, particularly over its purchases of Russian oil and trade policies.
Take on Russian oil imports
In 2025, Miller said India's purchase of Russian oil was "not acceptable". He claimed that India was among the biggest buyers of Russian crude, along with China, and alleged that these purchases helped fund Russia's war in Ukraine.
He also accused India of imposing "massive tariffs" on American goods and violating the US immigration system.
Push for stricter H-1B and immigration rules
Miller was one of the key figures behind Trump's strict immigration policies. He pushed for tighter restrictions on immigration and stricter rules for skilled foreign workers, including those applying for H-1B visas.
Earlier this year, after a Border Patrol agent shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Miller described the victim as a "domestic terrorist". Following widespread criticism, Miller later said that the agents involved "may not have been following" the required procedures.
Acknowledging ties between PM Modi and Trump
Despite his criticism of India on several issues, Miller has also recognised the importance of the relationship between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He described their ties as a "tremendous relationship with India".
Who is Stephen Miller ?
Miller, 41, supported stricter immigration policies even before they became a major part of the Republican Party's agenda. He joined Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and later worked as an adviser and speechwriter during Trump's first term from 2017 to 2021.
After Trump lost the 2020 election, Miller founded a conservative advocacy group called America First Legal.
During Trump's second term, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff and Homeland Security Adviser.
His wife, Katie Miller, is a conservative podcaster and previously worked as a communications aide in Trump's first administration.