GOP Senator Tillis brands Stephen Miller a 'big problem' and demands he go amid Trump cabinet chaos

WASHINGTON, DC: Republican Senator Thom Tillis issued a sharp rebuke of White House adviser Stephen Miller on Sunday, March 8, stating unequivocally that the strategist "should go."

During an appearance on CNN’s 'State of the Union', the North Carolina senator characterized Miller as a "big problem" who had hindered the administration since its inception.

Tillis argued that Miller prioritized form over substance and exerted an inappropriate level of control over cabinet operations.

According to the senator, qualified Cabinet members were often prevented from executing their own agendas because of Miller’s direction and outsized influence within the West Wing.

Thom Tillis blames Stephen Miller for diplomatic missteps

Senator Tillis specifically blamed Miller for several high-profile diplomatic and political missteps. 

He noted that it was Miller who pushed the controversial position that the United States should "go after Greenland," an idea that resulted in significant international friction.

The senator further criticized Miller for a habit of "speaking first and thinking later," which he claimed had repeatedly embarrassed the president. 

Tillis, who is not seeking re-election this year, expressed deep concern that an unelected adviser had been "calling the shots" on critical national policy.

Support for Markwayne Mullin amid cabinet shifts

Despite his criticisms of the White House staff, Tillis affirmed his support for Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Mullin has been tapped to replace Kristi Noem, whose resignation Tillis was the first Republican to demand.

Tillis expressed optimism that Mullin would remain independent from Miller’s influence.

However, he acknowledged a "pause" regarding the fact that Miller’s fingerprints remained on the administration's broader immigration crackdown and the rhetoric surrounding federal law enforcement actions.

Kristi Noem called a 'disgrace' as DHS reform debate intensifies

While Tillis focused on internal White House dynamics, broader calls for reform continued to mount following the departure of Noem, whom the senator labeled a "disgrace" and "totally unqualified." 

The debate over the Department of Homeland Security remains a central flashpoint in the ongoing government funding crisis.

Critics argued that a simple change in personnel was insufficient to address the conduct of agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

As the administration moves to install new leadership, the pressure for "dramatic, bold, and meaningful" policy shifts persists among those wary of the current immigration strategy.