House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries Labels Stephen Miller a ‘Hateful Bigot,’ Sparking White House Backlash
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a sharp exchange that underscores the deepening partisan divide over immigration policy, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, publicly condemned Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy and a key adviser on Homeland Security. On Wednesday, Jeffries took to X to call Miller a “hateful bigot,” accusing him of orchestrating a campaign of violence and brutality through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Jeffries’s rebuke came amid ongoing debates over immigration enforcement and government funding, where DHS’s policies have drawn fierce criticism from Democrats. “Stephen Miller is one of the malignant architects of the violence and brutality DHS has unleashed on the American people,” Jeffries wrote, highlighting Miller’s role in shaping immigration policy under the Trump administration. The congressman also referenced Miller’s controversial public statements, including slandering nurse Alex Pretti as a would-be assassin, a claim that further inflamed tensions.
The White House swiftly responded to Jeffries’s comments, dismissing the minority leader as a “buffoon” and urging the public to disregard his statements. A White House spokeswoman told reporters, “No one should take anything he says seriously,” signaling the administration’s intent to stand firmly behind Miller despite the backlash.
Stephen Miller has long been a polarizing figure in Washington, known for his hardline stance on immigration and his influence on the administration’s enforcement strategies. His tenure has coincided with increased scrutiny of agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), both under DHS’s umbrella, which have faced criticism over treatment of migrants and enforcement tactics.
The dispute comes as Congress grapples with funding the government and debating reforms to DHS. Senate Democrats have demanded Miller’s removal as a condition for supporting DHS funding, reflecting the broader political battle over immigration policies and enforcement priorities. The clash between Jeffries and the White House encapsulates the broader partisan struggle over the direction of U.S. immigration policy and the role of federal agencies in enforcing it.
Jeffries’s comments also come amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement in several states, where local leaders and communities have pushed back against federal policies they view as overly aggressive. The debate over DHS’s approach has been a flashpoint in discussions about border security, humanitarian concerns, and the balance between law enforcement and civil rights.
As the government shutdown deadline looms, the confrontation between Jeffries and Miller highlights the challenges lawmakers face in reaching consensus on immigration and homeland security funding. The U.S. Congress continues to negotiate amid mounting pressure from both parties, with the administration’s staunch defense of Miller signaling that immigration will remain a contentious issue in the months ahead.
For now, the political rhetoric shows no signs of abating, with Jeffries’s denunciation and the White House’s retort illustrating the deep divisions that define the current immigration debate in Washington.
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