Stephen N. Miller is an American political adviser, speechwriter and White House official who serves as Assistant to the President, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor in President Donald Trump’s second administration. He previously held senior positions in Trump’s first administration, where he became one of the administration’s most prominent advisers on immigration, border policy and executive policy.
Miller first became nationally prominent as a speechwriter and senior adviser during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and first presidency. He was involved in drafting major speeches and helped shape the administration’s approach to immigration, including policies concerning border enforcement, asylum and travel restrictions. His role in those policies has made him a frequent subject of political debate and media coverage.
In September 2026, Miller again became the focus of national political coverage after two senior FBI counterterrorism officials were removed from their Washington leadership positions following a dispute over the bureau’s handling of allegedly harassing telephone calls directed at his wife, Katie Miller. Reports have presented competing accounts about the reason for the personnel changes and whether Miller or other senior officials influenced the FBI’s decision.
Stephen Miller Profile Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stephen N. Miller |
| Date of Birth | August 23, 1985 |
| Age | 41 |
| Birthplace | Santa Monica, California, United States |
| Profession | Political adviser and speechwriter |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Education | Duke University |
| Degree | Political Science |
| Current Position | Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor |
| Political Affiliation | Republican |
| First White House Role | Senior Adviser to President Donald Trump |
| Wife | Katie Miller, formerly Katie Rose Waldman |
| Marriage | 2020 |
| Children | Four |
| Height | Approximately 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Known For | White House policy, speechwriting and immigration policy |
| Organization Founded | America First Legal |
| No prominent public personal account | |
| Reported Assets | Approximately $1.8 million to $4.8 million+ in financial disclosures |
| Personal Net Worth | Not officially established |
Stephen Miller Early Life
Stephen N. Miller was born on August 23, 1985, in Santa Monica, California. He grew up as the middle child in a Jewish family whose political background was initially associated with liberal Democratic politics. His father, Michael Miller, was a lawyer who also worked in the family real-estate business, while his mother, Miriam, became a social worker.
Miller developed an interest in conservative politics during his teenage years. Accounts of his adolescence describe him as increasingly outspoken about political issues, particularly immigration, crime, education and what he viewed as excessive political correctness. He began participating in conservative radio discussions while still in high school.
His political development continued during his university years. He became active in conservative student organizations and developed a reputation for public speaking, political writing and advocacy. These activities eventually led him into professional political work in Washington, where he began working for Republican members of Congress.
Stephen Miller Education
Miller attended Santa Monica High School before enrolling at Duke University in North Carolina. He studied political science and graduated in 2007.
At Duke, he became involved in conservative student activism. He wrote for The Chronicle, Duke’s student newspaper, and became president of the university’s chapter of Students for Academic Freedom. His campus activities brought him considerable attention beyond the university.
His time at Duke also helped establish the political network that later became important to his career. After graduation, he moved directly into congressional politics, working as a press secretary and communications aide before becoming a senior policy adviser to Senator Jeff Sessions.
Stephen Miller Career
Stephen Miller began his professional political career after graduating from Duke in 2007. He initially worked as a press secretary for Republican representatives Michele Bachmann of Minnesota and John Shadegg of Arizona.
In 2009, Miller joined the staff of Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions. Sessions was one of the Republican Party’s most prominent advocates for stricter immigration enforcement, and Miller became increasingly involved in immigration policy and communications.
During his years working for Sessions, Miller helped develop arguments against bipartisan immigration legislation. He became an outspoken opponent of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, commonly known as the Gang of Eight immigration bill.
Miller’s policy work attracted the attention of conservative media and political organizations. His influence expanded beyond congressional communications as he became a prominent voice in debates about immigration, national identity and executive power.
His career changed dramatically when Donald Trump began his 2016 presidential campaign. Miller joined Trump’s political operation and quickly became one of the campaign’s principal speechwriters and policy advisers.
He played a significant role in preparing Trump’s speeches, particularly those dealing with immigration and national security. He helped write Trump’s speech accepting the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 and subsequently became one of the administration’s central policy advisers.
After Trump won the 2016 election, Miller joined the White House as a senior adviser. He also became Director of Speechwriting and helped prepare Trump’s inaugural address, State of the Union speeches and other major presidential addresses.
Immigration became the defining policy area of Miller’s White House career. He was involved in the development and communication of policies concerning border enforcement, asylum, deportation and restrictions on entry to the United States.
He was closely associated with Executive Order 13769, issued in January 2017, which temporarily restricted entry into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The order became the subject of extensive litigation and was subsequently revised.
Miller also played a central role in the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement and the southern border. He was associated with the administration’s family-separation policy, which separated some migrant children from parents prosecuted for illegal entry.
His influence extended beyond individual executive orders. He became one of the administration’s principal advisers on immigration strategy and helped develop the messaging used to defend the administration’s policies.
Miller remained in the White House throughout Trump’s first term. He left government in January 2021 following Trump’s departure from office.
After leaving the White House, Miller co-founded America First Legal with other former Trump administration officials. The conservative nonprofit was established in 2021 and pursued litigation and legal advocacy on issues including immigration, administrative law, civil rights and federal policy.
The organization became an important part of Miller’s post-White House career. It allowed him to continue working on conservative policy issues through litigation, public advocacy and legal campaigns while remaining outside government.
Miller returned to the White House when Trump began his second presidential term in January 2025. He was appointed Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy as well as Homeland Security Advisor.
His second-administration responsibilities are broader than his first White House role. They include domestic policy and homeland security matters, while immigration and deportation policy remain among his most visible areas of influence.
The White House has formally identified Miller as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor. In 2025, his annual government salary was listed at $195,200.
Miller has remained particularly involved in the administration’s immigration strategy during Trump’s second term. Recent reporting has described him as a central figure in efforts to expand deportations and change the way federal agencies handle immigration enforcement.
His role has also extended to broader domestic policy. White House documents issued in 2026 list the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor among senior officials involved in national-security and executive-branch decisions.
Miller’s political influence has made him a frequent subject of both support and criticism. Supporters within the conservative movement describe him as an important strategist of the America First agenda, while critics have challenged his immigration policies and rhetoric.
His political career is unusual in that he has remained closely associated with the same administration across two nonconsecutive presidential terms. Few White House advisers have maintained such a prominent role across both periods.
Stephen Miller Trending: September 2026 FBI Reassignments After Investigation Into Calls Directed at Katie Miller
Stephen Miller is trending in late September 2026 because two veteran FBI counterterrorism officials, Michael Burgwald and Courtland Rae, were removed from their leadership positions at the FBI’s Washington Field Office and reassigned to FBI headquarters following a dispute over the handling of allegedly harassing telephone calls directed at Miller’s wife, Katie Miller.
According to people familiar with the FBI’s review cited by CNN, the field-office team investigating the calls determined that they did not meet the threshold for an FBI investigation and found no apparent connection to terrorism. The two officials were subsequently removed from their Washington positions.
The White House has provided a different account. Spokesperson Lauren Bis said senior FBI leadership determined that Burgwald and Rae were “stifling” investigations into what the White House considered serious threats. She also said Stephen and Katie Miller had never interacted directly with the two FBI officials.
The circumstances surrounding the reassignment have therefore become politically significant. FBI Washington Field Office chief Darren Cox said FBI Director Kash Patel did not order the decision and described it as a personnel decision made at the Washington Field Office level based on mission needs.
The episode has generated debate about the relationship between political officials and career law-enforcement personnel. However, the public record does not establish that Stephen Miller personally ordered the FBI personnel changes or that he directed the investigation into the calls.
The incident has nevertheless brought renewed attention to Miller because the investigation involved his immediate family and because he occupies one of the most senior policy positions in the White House.
Stephen Miller Personal Life
Stephen Miller married Katie Rose Waldman, now widely known as Katie Miller, on February 16, 2020. The couple met while working in Washington and both built careers in Republican politics and conservative communications.
Katie Miller previously worked as a press secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and as communications director for Vice President Mike Pence. She later worked with Elon Musk’s government-efficiency initiative before developing a public career as a conservative podcaster and media personality.
Stephen and Katie Miller have four children. The family has generally maintained a relatively private domestic life despite both parents having highly visible political careers. Recent reporting has said the family moved into military housing amid concerns about threats and harassment directed toward them.
Stephen Miller Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Stephen Miller was born on August 23, 1985, making him 41 years old in 2026. He was born in Santa Monica, California, and is American. His family is of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, and Jewish religious and cultural influences were part of his upbringing.
Miller is Jewish and attended Hebrew school as a child. His family was involved in Jewish community life, although his public career has focused overwhelmingly on politics rather than religious activities.
He is commonly listed at approximately 1.75 metres, or 5 feet 9 inches tall. Miller is recognizable for his bald head and usually formal political attire, often appearing in suits during White House events, television interviews and political meetings.
Stephen Miller Net Worth
Stephen Miller’s exact personal net worth has not been officially established. However, unlike many public figures whose wealth is estimated only from media reports, Miller has filed financial disclosures as a senior federal official.
A publicly reported analysis of his financial disclosure placed his reported assets at approximately $1.8 million to $4.8 million or more. The disclosure also showed substantial income from America First Legal and consulting activities before he returned to the White House in 2025.
His 2025 White House salary was listed at $195,200 annually for his position as Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor. His overall wealth therefore reflects a combination of government compensation, previous private-sector and nonprofit income, investments and other disclosed assets.
Stephen Miller Legacy
Stephen Miller’s political legacy is closely connected to immigration policy during the Trump administrations. He became one of the administration’s principal policy advisers and speechwriters during Trump’s first presidency and remained involved in shaping immigration-related policies during the second.
His work has also had an institutional dimension. Through America First Legal, he continued pursuing conservative policy objectives through litigation after leaving government in 2021. His return to the White House in 2025 restored him to a senior position in federal policymaking.
How Miller’s longer-term legacy is understood depends substantially on political perspective. His supporters regard him as an important strategist who advanced the administration’s immigration and America First agenda, while critics have focused on the effects and legal controversies surrounding those policies. The documented record includes his central role in policy development, speechwriting and White House strategy across two Trump administrations.
Conclusion
Stephen Miller is an American political adviser and speechwriter who has played a prominent role in Republican politics and both Trump administrations. From his early work for Jeff Sessions and his rise as a Trump campaign speechwriter to his current position as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor, immigration and national security have remained central to his career. His September 2026 prominence has been heightened by the FBI dispute involving his wife, Katie Miller, although the reasons for the reassignment of the two FBI officials remain disputed. His financial disclosures, government positions and long record in national policy provide a more concrete picture of his career than speculative estimates of his personal wealth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stephen Miller
Who is Stephen Miller?
Stephen Miller is an American political adviser and speechwriter who serves as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor under President Donald Trump.
How old is Stephen Miller?
Stephen Miller was born on August 23, 1985, making him 41 years old in 2026.
Where was Stephen Miller born?
He was born in Santa Monica, California, United States.
What did Stephen Miller study?
He studied political science at Duke University and graduated in 2007.
Who is Stephen Miller’s wife?
His wife is Katie Miller, formerly Katie Rose Waldman, a conservative political communicator and podcaster.
When did Stephen Miller marry Katie Miller?
They married on February 16, 2020, in Washington, D.C.
How many children does Stephen Miller have?
Stephen and Katie Miller have four children.
What religion is Stephen Miller?
Stephen Miller is Jewish and comes from an Ashkenazi Jewish family background.
What is Stephen Miller’s nationality?
He is American.
What is Stephen Miller’s height?
He is commonly listed at approximately 1.75 metres, or 5 feet 9 inches.
What is Stephen Miller’s current White House position?
He serves as Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy as well as Homeland Security Advisor.
What was Stephen Miller’s role during Trump’s first presidency?
He served as a senior adviser and director of speechwriting and was heavily involved in immigration and national-security policy.
What is Stephen Miller known for?
He is particularly known for his work on immigration policy, presidential speechwriting and his senior advisory roles in the Trump administrations.
Did Stephen Miller work for Jeff Sessions?
Yes. Miller joined Senator Jeff Sessions’s staff in 2009 and worked on communications and immigration policy.
What is America First Legal?
America First Legal is a conservative legal organization co-founded by Stephen Miller after he left the White House in 2021.
What is Stephen Miller’s connection to Donald Trump?
Miller became a senior adviser and speechwriter for Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and later served as a senior White House adviser during Trump’s first administration. He returned to the White House in 2025.
Is Stephen Miller involved in immigration policy?
Yes. Immigration policy has been one of the central areas of his work during both Trump administrations.
Why is Stephen Miller trending in September 2026?
He is receiving renewed attention because two senior FBI counterterrorism officials were removed from their Washington leadership positions after a dispute concerning an investigation into allegedly harassing calls directed at his wife, Katie Miller.
Did Stephen Miller order the FBI to remove Michael Burgwald?
There is no established public evidence that Miller personally ordered the removals. Reports have described disagreements over the investigation, while FBI Washington Field Office leadership has said the personnel decision was made at the field-office level.
Who is Michael Burgwald?
Michael Burgwald is a veteran FBI counterterrorism official who led counterterrorism operations at the Washington Field Office before being reassigned to FBI headquarters in September 2026.
What happened between the FBI and Katie Miller?
Katie Miller received allegedly harassing telephone calls from unknown individuals. An FBI field-office team reviewed the matter and, according to sources cited by CNN, found that it did not meet the threshold for a terrorism-related investigation.
What is Stephen Miller’s net worth?
His exact net worth is not publicly established. His financial disclosures have reported assets in the range of approximately $1.8 million to $4.8 million or more.
How much does Stephen Miller earn?
His 2025 White House salary was listed at $195,200 per year for his position as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor.
Does Stephen Miller have Instagram?
He does not have a prominent lifestyle-focused personal Instagram presence. His public communication is primarily associated with political media and X.
What is Stephen Miller’s political affiliation?
He is associated with the Republican Party and the conservative movement.