House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries answered Stephen Miller’s promotion by saying Miller’s “presence in government should be eradicated like a malignant tumor.”
Story Highlights
- Trump named Stephen Miller White House chief of staff, starting Monday, November 9.
- Jeffries posted on X that Miller has “American blood on his hands” and demanded he be fired.
- Conservatives called it violent rhetoric, and one called for Jeffries to be censured.
- Jeffries is expected to become Speaker when Democrats take over the House in January.
What Jeffries Posted
On Friday, November 6, the same day President Trump named Miller to replace Susie Wiles as chief of staff, Jeffries posted on X: “Stephen Miller is a dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist who has American blood on his hands. His presence in government should be eradicated like a malignant tumor. Fire him today.” A xenophobe is a person who fears or hates foreigners.
https://x.com/RepJeffries/status/2118795008379908136
Jeffries, a New York Democrat, leads his party in the House. Democrats won control of the House in the Tuesday, November 3, midterm elections, and he is expected to become Speaker. His target was Miller’s record. As deputy chief of staff, Miller has been a key architect of Trump’s hardline immigration and deportation program. Jeffries has gone after Miller before. In January, he called Miller a “hateful bigot” in a fight over the federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.
Conservatives Call It Violent Rhetoric
Critics on the right said the words crossed a line. Conservative writer Jeremy Carl called the post “dangerous, violent, eliminationist rhetoric against the new White House Chief of Staff.” Eliminationist rhetoric is language that calls for an opponent to be wiped out. Carl added, “Hakeem Jeffries must be censured.” A censure is a formal vote by the House to condemn a member’s conduct.
The White House’s Rapid Response account shared a clip of former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany calling the words shocking from a man who may soon be Speaker. Many on the right note that Democrats often warn about violent political language from Republicans. The White House did not address Jeffries by name in its release on the pick. It praised Miller as a trusted adviser and credited him with helping secure the border and break up large-scale fraud.
Democrats Plan Investigations of Miller
Other Democrats piled on. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, who is in line to chair the House Oversight Committee, the panel that investigates the executive branch, said Democrats will keep investigating Miller. “Stephen Miller should lawyer up,” Garcia said. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Trump had “learned nothing” from the midterm results.
Miller’s own post on the promotion did not mention Jeffries. In it, he urged supporters to “Fight with all of our soul to support our President and defend this magnificent Republic.” He takes over as chief of staff on Monday, November 9, and will face a House expected to be led by the man who called for him to be eradicated.
Sources:
redstate.com, whitehouse.gov, apnews.com, cbsnews.com
