Stephen Miller’s rise to White House chief of staff has sparked criticism from inside and outside Donald Trump’s circle. A former administration official says some staffers privately question his judgment and influence. Ex-aide Sarah Matthews believes colleagues keep Miller close because of his access to the president, not because they enjoy working with him.
How Sarah Matthews described Miller’s standing inside Donald Trump world
Sarah Matthews, who was employed as deputy press secretary during Donald Trump’s first term, shared her assessment during an appearance on MS NOW with Alicia Menendez. She said Miller has built relationships across Trump’s circle largely because he holds the president’s attention and wields considerable influence. His new position has only strengthened that grip, she argued. “And obviously, that power and influence has only grown now that he’s been named as White House Chief of Staff,” Matthews claimed (via The Daily Beast).
According to Matthews, some officials privately view the 41-year-old as “cuckoo.” She also described him as a “white nationalist” whose approach brings out “Trump’s worst instincts.” She pointed to the administration’s aggressive deportation campaign, arguing that Miller’s handling of immigration helped undo the gains Trump made with Latino voters in 2024. Even Republicans who support tougher border enforcement know that Miller “does more harm than help.”
Trump’s post-midterm shake-up has triggered a major turnover inside his administration. The latest round began Thursday, when Susie Wiles exited her role. A day later, Trump tapped Miller for a promotion. The departures have piled up quickly, with six officials leaving since last week. The list includes Wiles, Justice Department civil rights official Harmeet Dhillon, and deputy chief of staff Richard Walters, who quit after Miller’s new appointment.
Miller’s appointment has also drawn pushback from Republican lawmakers. Indiana Rep. Marlin Stutzman called it a “horrible decision” during a Fox News appearance. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis went further, describing Miller as “the worst of all possible choices.” Tillis called the move a “colossal mistake,” saying the party did not need it so soon after its election defeat.
