Michael Goodwin: It’s Stephen Miller time in the Trump admin — threatened media and Dems are already spreading misinformation

President Trump has promoted Stephen Miller from policy deputy to White House chief of staff, prompting sharp criticism from Democrats and media commentators. This opinion article argues that the backlash over Miller’s style and views obscures his role and the political support for Trump’s immigration policies.

The writer says Miller advises on and defends immigration policy but does not make it, and argues that voters backed Trump in 2016 and 2024 partly because they wanted tougher border enforcement. The article also blames the Biden administration’s approach for a large increase in unauthorised entries, claiming it exceeded 12 million, and criticises its handling of the border. That figure and the article’s claims are presented as the writer’s argument.