'Trump's psyche': The aide driving president's most controversial policies

February 9, 2026

Stephen Miller, serving as deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser, has emerged as one of the most powerful and controversial figures in the Trump administration's second term. His aggressive implementation of hardline immigration policies, including a goal of 3,000 arrests per day, has drawn intense criticism after federal immigration officers killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, prompting Miller to make rare false accusations and subsequent retractions. Beyond immigration, Miller has expanded his influence into foreign policy matters, playing central roles in military operations in Yemen and Venezuela, and articulating a muscular "America First" worldview that positions the U.S. as the dominant hemispheric power.

Who is affected

Alex Pretti and Renee Good (U.S. citizens killed by immigration officers in Minneapolis)
Undocumented migrants in major American cities including Washington DC, Charlotte, Chicago, and Minneapolis
Federal immigration officers and CBP officials
Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem
Democratic critics including Congressman Don Beyer of Virginia
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina
Denmark (regarding Greenland territorial assertions)
Venezuela and former President Nicolás Maduro
Canada (regarding trade relations)
American voters and the general public

What action is being taken

The Trump administration is conducting ramped-up immigration enforcement in major American cities
ICE agents are working toward a target of 3,000 arrests per day
The administration is conducting military operations in the Caribbean to locate and destroy boats suspected of narcotics trafficking
Miller is overseeing implementation of immigration and foreign policy initiatives across multiple government agencies
Democrats are calling for Miller's resignation
The administration has conducted airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen
Trump has stated the immigration crackdown needs a "softer touch"

Why it matters

Miller's influence matters because he controls implementation of the administration's most controversial domestic and foreign policies at a time when public approval is declining. His approach to immigration enforcement has resulted in civilian deaths and allegations of encouraging violent responses to protests, raising fundamental questions about civil liberties and the use of federal force. Miller's expansion into foreign policy represents an unconventional consolidation of power that challenges traditional diplomatic norms and relationships with allies like Denmark and Canada. The framing of policies as existential cultural preservation allows justification for extreme measures that might otherwise appear unwarranted. With midterm elections approaching and approval ratings falling, Miller's effectiveness as policy architect will face a critical voter referendum that could determine the administration's political viability.

What's next

The November midterm congressional elections will serve as a referendum on Miller's mass deportation policy
Republicans are preparing for midterm elections with concerns about declining approval of immigration policies
Voters will determine whether Miller bears responsibility for the policy outcomes

Read full article from source: BBC