House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for the removal of Stephen Miller, the United States Homeland Security Advisor, during a press conference on Thursday, describing him as the architect of President Donald Trump’s toxic immigration policies and a malignant influence in the administration.
Jeffries made the remarks in response to a question about impeachment proceedings against Kristi Noem, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, whom he also demanded be fired. He reiterated his intention to proceed with impeachment if Noem is not removed, calling her a complete and total embarrassment and a disgrace.
Transitioning to broader concerns within the administration, Jeffries targeted Miller directly. “And by the way, she’s not the only one. Stephen Miller is the architect of Donald Trump’s toxic immigration policies. He’s a stone-cold liar. He’s a bigot. He’s a hateful individual. He’s a malignant, unelected interloper. He needs to go as well,” Jeffries said. He questioned why Trump, if truly trying to change direction, would keep such people around, emphasizing that Democrats are not interested in a change in tone but in a change in behavior on the ground in American communities and regarding those surrounding Trump.
.@RepJeffries: "We intend to proceed with impeachment proceedings if Kristi Noem is not fired. Kristi Noem is a complete and total embarrassment, she's a disgrace. And on top of all that, she's presided over the cold-blooded killings of American citizens…She's got to go." pic.twitter.com/W38QUXk55w
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 29, 2026
The comments come amid heightened national controversy over federal immigration enforcement, particularly Operation Metro Surge, a major deployment of hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection officers to Minneapolis this month. The operation aimed at identifying and detaining undocumented immigrants but has drawn intense scrutiny following two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens in the city.
Miller, a key figure in shaping the administration’s immigration strategy, recently attacked Democrats’ stance on immigration in a public statement, asserting that the Democratic Party yearns and fights for nothing more than a fully open border to the third world. Critics argue that his influence has driven enforcement priorities and messaging around operations like Metro Surge, which they describe as heavy-handed and counterproductive. His rhetoric, including blaming victims and depicting aggressive enforcement as necessary, has amplified divisions.
The Democrat Party yearns and fights and struggles for nothing more than a fully open border to the third world. https://t.co/pRgurCtnxu
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) January 29, 2026
Defenders of Miller maintain that tough border enforcement is essential to national sovereignty and security, viewing operations like Metro Surge as a lawful response to immigration challenges. They contend that Democratic resistance has contributed to disorder. However, the uproar over the Minneapolis incidents and Miller’s role has intensified calls for his removal, highlighting deep polarization over how the U.S. balances immigration enforcement with humanitarian concerns and constitutional protections.
