Stephen Miller’s promotion is ‘tone-deaf’ on what Americans want, CNN data analyst says

Stephen Miller’s promotion is ‘tone-deaf’ on what Americans want, CNN data analyst says ‘You get the results from last week, and then you make Stephen Miller chief of staff? They’re in another planet,’ Harry Enten said - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten called Stephen Miller’s promotion to White House chief of staff “tone-deaf” following Republicans’ crushing midterm losses. On Monday, Enten highlighted polling showing widespread opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, which Miller helped spearhead. Trump announced Friday that Miller, his deputy chief of staff, would replace Susie Wiles in the top job with his first day being Monday. “Gosh, how tone-deaf is this White House?” Enten said. “You get the results from last week, and then you make Stephen Miller chief of staff? They’re in another planet, they’re in another universe.” Enten, whom Trump has praised as the “best person on CNN,” pointed to sharp shifts toward Democrats in heavily Hispanic communities as evidence that Latino voters had soured on the administration. “I mean, just look at these shifts,” he said. “Look at these shifts among Latino voters. And I got 'em across the political map for you.” In Starr County, Texas, the vote shifted 72 percentage points toward Democrats between 2024 and 2026. Two other Hispanic communities — Passaic City, New Jersey, and Seward County, Kansas — recorded shifts of 54 and 52 points, respectively. Enten also pointed to CNN survey data that showed Latino voters trusted Democrats more than Republicans on immigration by 21 points — compared to 2024, when they trusted Trump over Kamala Harris by 3 points. Another CNN poll showed 68 percent of Latino voters — and 58 percent of voters overall — said the Trump administration’s immigration actions have gone too far. “Latino support for Democrats, up like a rocket,” Enten said. “We saw it across the political map no matter what state, no matter what region you were in. And then…Donald Trump makes Stephen Miller chief of staff? What the heck is going on out there?” Enten wasn’t the only political observer to question Trump’s elevation of Miller, a polarizing figure who helped shape some of the administration’s most controversial immigration initiatives, including its deportation crackdown and push to end birthright citizenship. “Donald Trump learned nothing from his historic defeat,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X. “Stephen Miller is the architect of the most barbaric, inhumane policies of this administration. Trump couldn’t have made a worse choice.” Even some Republicans have voiced concerns about the president’s decision. “I think he's greatly hurt the administration and cost us many seats on Tuesday,” Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon told Fox News. “He took an immigration policy that favored the president 2:1 in the public, over-reached and made it 2:1 unfavorable.” The White House previously told The Independent that Miller has played a central role in the president’s policies. “Stephen Miller has been a key player in delivering on President Trump’s America First agenda since day one,” spokesperson Lauren Bis said. “He has spearheaded the administration’s crime crackdown including in D.C. and Memphis, record setting deregulation, unleashed American energy, dismantled drug cartels, and secured our border. In his new role, he will continue to deliver historic successes for the American people.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments