Gavin Newsom Calls for Accountability on Stephen Miller's Immigration Policies

The California governor suggests Miller has gone into hiding to avoid becoming the next casualty in Trump's administration.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:11am

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A fragmented, abstract painting depicting Stephen Miller's face in overlapping, geometric shapes of dark, muted colors, creating a sense of unease and instability around his role in the administration's immigration policies.The diminished public profile of Stephen Miller, a key architect of the Trump administration's hardline immigration agenda, raises questions about his continued influence.Minneapolis Today

California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly criticized White House senior adviser Stephen Miller, comparing him to the villainous Voldemort character from Harry Potter. Newsom suggests Miller has gone into hiding to avoid becoming the next high-profile departure from the Trump administration, following the exits of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi. Newsom has accused Miller of being the 'dark heart' and 'architect' of Trump's hardline immigration agenda, which he says has led to 'deaths, violence, and chaos'.

Why it matters

Miller's aggressive immigration policies and public rhetoric have drawn intense criticism, even from members of his own party. As one of the administration's most influential voices on immigration, Miller's diminished public profile raises questions about his continued influence and the future direction of Trump's immigration agenda.

The details

Miller, who also serves as a homeland security adviser, has sharply scaled back his media appearances following a deadly enforcement surge in Minneapolis in January. That crackdown, overseen by the Department of Homeland Security, drew fierce criticism after federal agents killed two U.S. citizens, 37-year-old Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good. Miller accused Democrats of siding with 'terrorists' and labeled Pretti a 'would-be assassin' in the aftermath. Behind the scenes, however, Miller remains deeply embedded in policy decisions, regularly participating in high-level calls on national security and immigration enforcement.

  • In January, federal agents killed two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, during an immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis.
  • In March, Newsom called Miller the 'dark heart' and 'architect' of Trump's hardline immigration agenda.
  • In January, Newsom accused Miller of being 'directly responsible for the deaths, violence, and chaos' tied to the administration's immigration policies.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The 58-year-old governor of California who has publicly criticized Stephen Miller and called for him to be held accountable for the administration's immigration policies.

Stephen Miller

A senior White House adviser and key architect of the Trump administration's hardline immigration agenda, who has sharply scaled back his public appearances in recent months.

Alex Pretti

A 37-year-old U.S. citizen killed by federal agents during an immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis in January.

Renee Nicole Good

A U.S. citizen killed by federal agents during the same immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis in January.

Thom Tillis

A Republican senator who has raised concerns about Miller's 'outsized influence' on the Trump administration's immigration policies.

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What they’re saying

“WHY HAS VOLDEMORT BEEN HIDING? DID Donald Trump PUT HIM IN A TIMEOUT FOR BAD BEHAVIOR?”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

“The dark heart of the administration, period full stop, is one man—Stephen Miller. He is the chief architect of this administration's immigration agenda.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

“Stephen Miller must be fired and held accountable.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

What’s next

The Biden administration is expected to take a closer look at Miller's role and influence within the Trump White House, potentially leading to further scrutiny or consequences for his hardline immigration policies.

The takeaway

The diminished public profile of Stephen Miller, a key architect of the Trump administration's immigration agenda, raises questions about his continued influence and the future direction of the administration's policies in this area. Governor Newsom's vocal criticism underscores the growing calls for accountability around the human toll of these policies.