Senator Warns of Stephen Miller's Influence at Homeland Security

Democratic Senator Andy Kim says Miller, not the nominee, will be calling the shots at DHS.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:34pm

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Democratic Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey has raised concerns about President Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin. Kim says the real power behind DHS policy will be White House adviser Stephen Miller, known as the architect of the administration's hardline immigration agenda.

Why it matters

Miller's influence at DHS raises concerns about the department's continued focus on aggressive immigration enforcement, even with a new secretary. Kim's warning highlights the ongoing power struggle within the Trump administration over immigration policy.

The details

Senator Kim, who sits on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, said he would not vote to confirm Mullin because 'it's really Stephen Miller that's calling the shots there.' Miller, Trump's deputy chief of staff and homeland security adviser, is widely seen as the driving force behind the administration's crackdown on immigration. Kim accused Miller of dictating DHS policy and said 'anybody that's in that role if Stephen Miller's just going to continue to dictate what happens.'

  • On March 5, Senator Kim appeared on CNN's 'The Source with Kaitlan Collins' to discuss Miller's influence at DHS.
  • Mullin's confirmation hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17.

The players

Senator Andy Kim

A Democratic senator from New Jersey who sits on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Stephen Miller

White House deputy chief of staff and homeland security adviser, known as the architect of the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies.

Markwayne Mullin

The Oklahoma senator nominated by President Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

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What they’re saying

“It's really Stephen Miller that's calling the shots there. I don't trust anybody that's in that role if Stephen Miller's just going to continue to dictate what happens.”

— Senator Andy Kim, U.S. Senator from New Jersey (Politico)

“As someone who's had it up close and seen how this has unfolded at the Department of Homeland Security, it's Stephen Miller who's in charge. It's Stephen Miller that needs to be held accountable.”

— Senator Andy Kim, U.S. Senator from New Jersey (CNN)

What’s next

Mullin's confirmation hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17, where he is expected to face questions about his ties to Stephen Miller and the administration's immigration policies.

The takeaway

Senator Kim's warning highlights the continued influence of hardliners like Stephen Miller within the Trump administration, even as the president nominates new leadership at the Department of Homeland Security. This raises concerns about the direction of immigration enforcement under a new DHS secretary.