Stephen Miller: The Most Powerful Advisor in the White House, Says Bill O'Reilly

Conservative commentator Bill O'Reilly stated that Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff, is the most powerful person in the White House. During his Sunday podcast with former chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, O'Reilly claimed that Miller is more militant than Donald Trump himself. Mulvaney agreed that Miller has 'the president's ear'.

O'Reilly and Mulvaney discussed the influence of the president's top advisors. O'Reilly suggested that Miller still controls the presidency. Mulvaney expressed his hope that there are people offering honest opinions to the president, but fears that some more junior advisors are 'goading' him.

Mulvaney noted that Miller maintained a firm stance on immigration in both Trump's first and second terms. Both agreed that Trump's approach to immigration was key to his successful 2024 presidential campaign. This approach has generated controversy, including the killing of two U.S. citizens at the hands of federal immigration authorities. As a result, Trump ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem amid the uproar.

Trump has publicly backed Miller, praising his work at a press conference in October. The president stated that Miller was doing an 'unbelievable job' and that the American people appreciated him.

Despite public support, Miller has faced criticism in Washington. According to Politico, some officials attribute the recent hospitalizations of acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief Todd Lyons to Miller yelling about the low number of deportations. Trump set a goal of deporting 3,000 immigrants per day, but daily averages in 2026 are sitting at 1,100, according to The New York Times.

Amid this pressure, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has reportedly urged the administration to pull back on immigration enforcement ahead of midterm elections, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Stephen Miller has long been credited for shaping Trump's hardline approach to immigration during his second term, even being named the true decision-maker behind closed doors at the White House by critics. The administration's immigration policy has led to tensions and controversies, including the deaths of U.S. citizens at the hands of federal authorities. The administration faces pressure to moderate immigration enforcement, especially before the midterm elections.

Miller's consistency on his immigration stance, since Trump's first term, highlights his continued influence on the administration's policy, despite internal criticism and pressure.

Mick Mulvaney, in the conversation with O'Reilly, expressed his hope that there are people offering honest opinions to the president, but fears that some more junior advisors are 'goading' him. Mulvaney indicated that Stephen Miller has 'the president's ear,' and that his stance on immigration has been consistent over time. O'Reilly and Mulvaney agreed that Trump's approach to immigration was a key point in his 2024 presidential campaign.

The discussion highlights the internal dynamics and the influence of advisors in the White House, as well as the consequences of the immigration policies implemented.