Stephen Miller reportedly said he 'would be happy if not a single refugee foot ever again touched America's soil'


An excerpt from a former White House staffer's new tell-all book includes a stunning quote attributed to senior adviser Stephen Miller.
In his book Team of Vipers, former aide Cliff Sims writes that he was concerned about the fact that President Trump "totally lacked nuance" in his refugee policy and was not doing enough to help "persecuted Christians," reports The Atlantic, which obtained a copy of the book ahead of its publication. But Sims says that when he raised this issue to Miller, he responded, "I would be happy if not a single refugee foot ever again touched America’s soil.”
Miller has been largely responsible for the administration's push to reduce the number of refugees accepted into the United States every year, Politico reports. The refugee cap is down to 45,000, compared to the 110,000 maximum set by former President Barack Obama's administration.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sims also describes Miller as someone who has stayed in the White House all this time by back-stabbing and playing both sides, such as when he spoke to Trump about former chief strategist Stephen Bannon. “Your polling numbers are actually very strong considering Steve won't stop leaking to the press and trying to undermine Jared [Kushner]," Miller reportedly said. "If Steve wasn't doing that, I bet you'd be ten points higher." Bannon, who reportedly thought of Miller as his "protege," departed the White House in August 2017, while Miller has remained since the administration's first days. Read more at The Atlantic.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 29, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - my way or Norway, running orders, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 tactically sound cartoons about the leaked Signal chat
Cartoons Artists take on the clown signal, baby steps, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Roast lamb shoulder with ginger and fresh turmeric recipe
The Week Recommends Succulent and tender and falls off the bone with ease
By The Week UK Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
Supreme Court upholds 'ghost gun' restrictions
Speed Read Ghost guns can be regulated like other firearms
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sets 25% tariffs on auto imports
Speed Read The White House says the move will increase domestic manufacturing. But the steep import taxes could also harm the US auto industry.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump allies urge White House to admit chat blunder
Speed Read Even pro-Trump figures are criticizing The White House's handling of the Signal scandal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Waltz takes blame for texts amid calls for Hegseth ouster
Speed Read Democrats are calling for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and national security adviser Michael Waltz to step down
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Judge: Nazis treated better than Trump deportees
speed read U.S. District Judge James Boasberg reaffirmed his order barring President Donald Trump from deporting alleged Venezuelan gang members
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US officials share war plans with journalist in group chat
Speed Read Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a Signal conversation about striking Yemen
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Canada's Mark Carney calls snap election
speed read Voters will go to the polls on April 28 to pick a new government
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published