The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest federal employee union, called for the immediate resignation of Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, alleging he played a central role in shaping and enforcing immigration policy that contributed to the death of union member Alex Pretti.

AFGE National President Everett Kelley said that Miller “personally directed [the immigration policy] and used high-pressure tactics to force compliance across the federal government,” describing his actions as part of a broader agenda that disregarded public and officer safety.

The union said Miller, alongside Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, created conditions that directly contributed to the tragedy. Kelley criticized the officials for publicly mischaracterizing Pretti in the aftermath of his death. “In the immediate aftermath of Alex’s killing, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem betrayed the public trust by slandering the good name of our union brother and calling him a ‘domestic terrorist.’ Alex Pretti was a patriotic ICU nurse at a VA hospital who devoted his life to serving America’s veterans. That claim was reckless, defamatory, and unsupported by the facts. Noem was preceded in this false statement by Stephen Miller,” Kelley said.

A domestic terrorist tried to assassinate federal law enforcement and this is your response? You and the state’s entire Democrat leadership team have been flaming the flames of insurrection for the singular purpose of stopping the deportation of illegals who invaded the country. https://t.co/tCQiGKo1Qo

— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) January 24, 2026

The union said Miller’s guidance on immigration policy was enforced without regard for consequences. “These were not abstract policy choices. They were imposed from the top and enforced without regard for the consequences,” Kelley said, noting that Miller was the driving force behind the administration’s harsh immigration agenda in Minnesota.

AFGE further highlighted Miller’s role in escalating tensions within federal agencies. Kelley said that Miller’s “aggressive immigration strategies” were implemented in ways that undermined professional judgment and put lives at risk, including Pretti’s death.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said Miller is “directly responsible for the deaths, violence, and chaos from [the] Trump Administration’s lawless, violent rampage across America. He must be fired and held accountable”.

Stephen Miller is directly responsible for the deaths, violence, and chaos from Trump Administration's lawless, violent rampage across America.

He must be fired and held accountable. pic.twitter.com/VZdz4EGSwO

— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) January 27, 2026

The union also called for a full and transparent investigation led by an independent third party, and for bipartisan congressional oversight to ensure accountability. “We also call for bipartisan congressional oversight to uncover the truth, ensure accountability, and begin repairing the damage to public trust,” Kelley said.

Public reporting has established that Miller is a central figure in shaping immigration policy. He has previously been identified in reporting by the New York Times according to Forbes as “the major architect of the administration’s restrictionist immigration policies,” and AFGE said he “used high-pressure tactics to force compliance across the federal government.”