On the morning of April 28, 2025, Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, fielded questions from a gaggle of reporters gathered outside the West Wing. Known for his forceful advocacy of the administration’s stringent immigration agenda, Miller used the session to underscore the Trump administration’s hard-line policies and to push back against criticism of its enforcement priorities.

Miller opened by defending President Trump’s newly signed executive orders targeting “sanctuary” jurisdictions, insisting that localities which refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities obstruct national security efforts. He emphasized that these orders direct state and federal agencies to publish lists of sanctuary cities and to bolster cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

When pressed on the administration’s request for additional ICE funding amid reports of families— including mothers with young children—being deported, Miller reframed the discussion by posing a series of rhetorical questions about past Democratic administrations. Only after deflecting several times did he assert that ICE would focus its resources exclusively on individuals with criminal records, and that federal taxpayers would not subsidize the presence of any undocumented immigrant.

Miller also highlighted the administration’s reliance on the “CBP Home” app, encouraging those under deportation orders to leave voluntarily rather than require enforcement action. In addition, he reaffirmed the administration’s plan to impose daily fines—up to $998—on migrants who fail to obey deportation orders, potentially seizing assets from those unwilling to comply.

On questions about press access, Miller defended recent changes to the White House press pool, arguing that expanding participation among various media outlets ensures fairer coverage. He maintained that these adjustments respond to a federal court ruling on newsroom access and reflect a commitment to transparent engagement with the press corps.

Throughout the exchange, Miller employed a pointed, Q&A-style approach—turning reporters’ questions back on them—to underscore his talking points and reinforce the administration’s narrative on immigration enforcement. His performance reaffirmed his role as the chief architect and public spokesperson for the administration’s most controversial policies.

Sources:

1. Stephen Miller Melts Down at Reporter Asking About Deported Moms – The Daily Beast (turn2news10)

2. Trump plans to fine migrants $998 a day for failing to leave after deportation order – Reuters (turn0search3)

3. Trump touts immigration crackdown despite concerns about due process – Reuters (turn0news11)

4. Both the US and El Salvador refuse to return wrongly deported man … – AP News (turn1search3)

5. Trump to tap immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff for policy – Reuters (turn0search0)

6. White House Correspondents' Association cedes control of pool reports to Trump administration – Politico (turn3news12)

7. Once bubbly, the White House Correspondents' dinner goes flat – Politico (turn3news9)

8. Today’s highlights: Trump signs new executive orders on immigration – AP News (turn1search0)

9. Inside Trump's plan for mass deportations – and who wants to stop him – Reuters (turn0search4)

10. White House calls on Supreme Court to rein in judges blocking Trump’s agenda – Reuters (turn0search5)