A new dispute inside Republican ranks is drawing attention in Washington as one GOP senator is openly urging President Donald Trump to remove a powerful White House adviser.
The call comes as the Trump administration prepares for a leadership transition at the Department of Homeland Security. While DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is preparing to step down from her Cabinet position, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) says another major shake-up inside the White House may also be needed.
Tillis is now calling for the removal of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, one of President Trump’s most influential advisers and a key architect of the administration’s immigration policies.
GOP Senator Targets Trump Adviser
During an appearance Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, Tillis argued that Miller has gained too much influence within the Trump administration.
Miller has been closely aligned with Trump since the president’s first campaign and has played a major role in shaping the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy.
However, Tillis suggested Miller’s leadership style has created unnecessary political headaches.
“He’s out of his depth,” Tillis said, adding that the adviser has been linked to several controversies that have embarrassed the administration.
When asked directly if Miller should be removed from his role inside the White House, Tillis did not hesitate.
“Oh, of course I do,” the North Carolina Republican responded.
Concerns Over White House Influence
Tillis also warned that Miller’s influence may be limiting the ability of Cabinet officials to carry out their responsibilities.
According to the senator, some members of President Trump’s Cabinet may feel constrained by Miller’s strong role in policy discussions.
“I believe we have qualified Cabinet members there who sometimes are doing less than what they want to because of his direction and his outsized influence,” Tillis said.
The criticism highlights a broader debate among Republicans over how immigration enforcement and other policies should be implemented during Trump’s presidency.
Immigration Controversy Sparks Debate
Tillis previously criticized both Miller and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem following a controversial immigration incident earlier this year.
The controversy involved the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two U.S. citizens who were shot and killed during a confrontation with federal immigration officers in Minneapolis.
At the time, administration officials suggested the individuals had been acting unlawfully — a claim Tillis publicly questioned.
The incident intensified debate in Washington over immigration enforcement practices and the role of federal authorities.
New DHS Leadership on the Horizon
With Noem preparing to leave her role at the Department of Homeland Security, attention is now turning to who will lead the agency next.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) is expected to face confirmation hearings as the potential new DHS secretary.
Tillis expressed confidence that Mullin would bring a more balanced and data-driven approach to managing immigration enforcement and border security.
According to the senator, Mullin would likely rely heavily on law enforcement expertise and work closely with key figures like White House border adviser Tom Homan.
“He will leverage law enforcement resources and expertise to get things right,” Tillis said.
Confidence in DHS Moving Forward
Despite his criticism of Miller, Tillis said he believes the Department of Homeland Security can regain stability under new leadership.
The retiring senator described Mullin as a trusted colleague capable of restoring strong leadership at the agency.
“I have a lot of confidence in my friend,” Tillis said. “I’m looking forward to him getting this department under control.”
As the debate unfolds, the disagreement highlights ongoing tensions inside Washington about how best to implement President Trump’s immigration agenda while maintaining unity inside the administration.