Stephen Miller's staying power: From the Politics Desk

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has maintained his wide-ranging influence across multiple policy areas in Washington, D.C., as of February 23, 2026, despite controversies surrounding his role in President Trump's immigration enforcement and the recent killing of two Americans in Minnesota during protests against his deportation policies. According to interviews with 13 present and past Trump administration officials and lawmakers, Miller's portfolio extends far beyond immigration, with responsibilities ranging from fixing Washington's malfunctioning fountains to driving the president's efforts to reshape college campuses and addressing security concerns like suspicious boats in the Caribbean or breaking up drug cartels. Miller runs a daily 10 a.m. meeting with senior federal officials where diverse topics are addressed, and despite having numerous titles, he appears to carry the biggest jumble of assignments in the administration, serving as both homeland security adviser and policy chief. Miller's staying power in Trump's inner circle can be attributed partly to his longevity, as many of the people who were part of Trump's 2016 campaign have either become peripheral figures or been ex altogether. Described by former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon as 'the hammer' tasked with propelling Trump's promises to fruition, Miller has made himself indispensable through his years in Trump's company. A former White House official noted that Miller was instrumental in selecting, writing, reviewing, editing and following up on all executive orders signed during the first days, weeks and months of the administration. His influence has persisted even after the administration recently loosened some of the immigration crackdown policies that had sparked national uproar following the federal agents' killing of two Americans in Minnesota. Meanwhile, President Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement has put a renewed focus on the Bill of Rights, with more than half of the first ten amendments being contested in court. In the Twin Cities, legal battles have centered on the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and 10th amendments, reflecting the administration's efforts to stretch the boundaries of political conventions. Conservative-leaning scholars accuse lawyers and judges of overstepping their bounds, while liberal counterparts see a disregard for constitutional provisions by the Trump administration. Legal experts note that many constitutional fights are occurring due to unsettled areas of immigration law, with very few Supreme Court cases establishing clear precedents on federal and state responsibilities in immigration enforcement.