White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has once again landed at the center of a political firestorm, following a series of controversial statements and actions that have put the Trump administration’s approach to federal power under a glaring spotlight. The latest uproar was sparked on October 6, 2025, during a live CNN interview, where Miller asserted that President Donald Trump held “plenary authority” to deploy the National Guard in Oregon—a claim that reignited fierce debate over the limits of presidential power in the United States.
Miller’s appearance quickly went viral, not only for the substance of his claim but for the dramatic way he abruptly cut himself off mid-sentence. Whether this was due to a technical glitch or a sudden realization of the gravity of his words remains unclear. CNN anchor Boris Sanchez attempted to press Miller on whether the administration would abide by a legal ruling blocking the Guard’s deployment. Miller began, “Under title 10 of the U.S. code, the president has plenary authority, has…” before the feed froze and Sanchez announced, “It seems there’s a technical issue.” The interview later resumed, but neither the anchor nor Miller revisited the explosive assertion.
The phrase “plenary authority” refers to the idea of absolute, unlimited power over a particular matter. According to Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute, it is “complete power over a particular area with no limitations.” In the American context, this concept stands in stark contrast to the constitutional principle of separation of powers—a foundational structure designed to prevent any one branch, including the presidency, from wielding unchecked control. The U.S. Constitution divides authority among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, with a system of checks and balances meant to ensure no single official or branch can act as a king.
Miller’s remarks referenced Title 10 of the U.S. Code, which sets the legal framework for deploying the National Guard. The law allows the president to call in the Guard in cases of rebellion or invasion, when it is “impracticable to enforce the laws” by normal means. However, previous attempts by the Trump administration to invoke this authority in California and Oregon have faltered in court, with judges ruling that the necessary conditions were not met. These defeats have not slowed Miller’s momentum—in fact, they seem only to have sharpened his rhetoric.
Just days before Miller’s CNN appearance, a chaotic confrontation in Chicago ended with a federal agent shooting a local woman, Marimar Martinez. In the immediate aftermath, Miller issued an urgent order to Department of Defense personnel: prepare to send in troops. Federal officials claimed local police had refused to provide backup, while the Chicago Police Department insisted officers were dispatched immediately. The incident became a flashpoint, with Miller labeling it “domestic terrorism and seditious insurrection” in a social media post. The Trump administration’s abrupt decision to send the National Guard into Chicago ratcheted up tensions with Democratic-led Illinois and opened a volatile new front in the ongoing battle over the president’s rapidly expanding authority.
At 40, Miller has become one of the most influential figures in the Trump White House, often referred to by insiders as “the prime minister.” He has spearheaded the administration’s increasingly aggressive interventions in Democratic cities, orchestrating federal law enforcement crackdowns and mass deportation campaigns. Now, as the administration seeks to expand its presence in cities like Chicago and Portland, Miller’s role has become even more public—and combative.
“The struggle that is taking place right now is between the lawful exercise of power by the American people through a duly elected government, versus the unlawful exercise of street violence in the form of domestic terrorism,” Miller declared to reporters earlier this week, according to CNN. He has repeatedly attacked judicial orders blocking National Guard deployments as a “legal insurrection” and has argued that President Trump should have “largely unfettered power” to direct troops domestically.
During his now-infamous CNN interview, Miller’s reference to “plenary authority” was meant, according to a senior White House official, to highlight powers “reserved to the president, and ones that the judiciary could not ‘second guess.’” The official added, “The president has plenary authority to conduct his role as commander in chief, which includes, for example, the decision to call up the National Guard into federal service.”
Miller’s hardline stance has not been without backlash. Earlier in 2025, more than 4 million people marched in over 2,000 cities in one of the largest protest days in recent U.S. history. The so-called “No Kings” protests were a direct response to what demonstrators saw as Trump’s authoritarian overreach, including his comment, “I don’t feel like a king,” and complaints about having to “go through hell” to get anything done under the constitutional system.
Despite the outcry, Trump and senior officials have adopted Miller’s rhetoric. On October 8 and 9, 2025, Trump called for the jailing of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, echoing Miller’s accusation that Pritzker had provided “aid and comfort” to protesters labeled as domestic terrorists. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Miller on October 10, describing him as “one of President Trump’s most trusted and longest serving aides for a reason — he delivers.”
Miller’s influence extends well beyond immigration and crime. As deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser, he coordinates with Cabinet secretaries including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The White House is reportedly also considering deploying National Guard troops to New Orleans, Louisiana, as of early October 2025. Following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 15, Miller has escalated federal law enforcement efforts against groups labeled as domestic terrorists, particularly antifa.
His reach even extends into foreign policy. Alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Miller has led a counter-drug mission that has carried out lethal strikes in the Caribbean against vessels deemed to be trafficking drugs. Pentagon officials now routinely present Miller and Rubio with operational options, bypassing traditional chains of command, according to CNN.
Inside the administration, Miller’s singular influence has prompted both admiration and unease. Some Republican lawmakers have bristled at his go-it-alone attitude, while others grudgingly respect his ability to implement Trump’s vision. Even when Miller is not physically present, Trump often delays final decisions until he has Miller’s input—a testament to the growing mindmeld between the two men. As one senior official put it, “He’s not a matinee idol. But he’s a very effective messenger for what the president’s trying to do.”
As the legal battles over the National Guard deployments continue, Miller has suggested the White House could invoke the Insurrection Act to grant Trump even broader powers to federalize the Guard and deploy the military into American cities. “They are actually, as we speak, trying to overthrow the core law enforcement function of the federal government,” Miller told CNN. “It’s absurd, it’s unconstitutional and must be put down.”
Whether these actions will ultimately be upheld by the courts or provoke further backlash remains to be seen. What’s clear is that Stephen Miller’s assertive approach has fundamentally shaped the Trump administration’s strategy—pushing the boundaries of presidential power and igniting a national debate that shows no sign of cooling down.
