1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

Donald Trump announced longtime loyalist Susie Wiles is out, and Stephen Miller is in as the new chief of staff. This is the architect of mass deportations who pushed ICE towards brutal enforcement. He’s called the Democratic Party “a domestic extremist organization.” Even for MAGA, he’s a pretty nasty and divisive guy. So it was no surprise how some Republicans reacted to the news. The worst of all possible choices. Thom Thollis called it “a colossal mistake, and the last thing we need 72 hours after the whooping we got on Tuesday.” He pointed out that Miller’s brutal policies helped lead Republicans to disaster in the midterms. But it’s not just policy. Many voters can’t stomach Miller on a personal level. Marlin Stutzman, Republican congressman from Indiana, told reporters: “I think it was a bad mistake. He’s not liked out here in the Midwest by people. They don’t like his tone.” When Politico broke the news to another house republican, he said: “Please tell me you’re lying to me right now, just to get a reaction.” Oddly enough, the man who just elevated Miller seems to share these critiques. The day he made the switch, he sat down with 60 Minutes and told them this about illegal immigrants whose only crime was crossing the border. “Too tough.” Those are words I’ve never heard from this president’s mouth. He then said he would be open to an amnesty deal with Democrats, and pinned the harsh deportations on “far-right” elements in the administration. It’s an obvious and pathetic attempt to deflect blame from the person who elevated those advisors and listened to their advice. And that brings us back to Miller. Just an hour after that interview was taped, Trump announced Miller’s promotion to the top job in the White House. Trump acknowledged that deportations were toxic in the midterms, but doubled down on the man who pushed them. So don’t be fooled by Trump’s new attitude. The power is in the same place.