Who Is Stephen Miller, Trump Aide Accusing India Of Financing Russia’s War Against Ukraine?

Last Updated:August 04, 2025, 15:28 IST

Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security, said that Trump “wants and has had always a tremendous relationship with India” and PM Modi

President Donald Trump listens as White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller speaks on his first 100 days at Macomb County Community College Sports Expo Center in April. (AP)

Amid US President Donald Trump’s pressure on India to halt the energy trade with Russia, his senior aide has accused New Delhi of indirectly funding Russia’s war in Ukraine by continuing to import oil from Moscow.

Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security, said, “What he (Trump) said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia…People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. That’s an astonishing fact."

He claimed that Trump “wants a tremendous relationship and has had always a tremendous relationship with India" and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “But we need to get real about dealing with the financing of this war… So, President Trump, all options are on the table to deal diplomatically, financially and otherwise with the ongoing war in Ukraine, so we can achieve peace," he said.

According to Indian officials quoted by Reuters on Saturday, New Delhi intends to keep buying Russian oil, arguing it serves the country’s energy security needs.

Who is Stephen Miller?

Miller is a prominent and polarising figure in American politics, best known for his hardline stances on immigration and his role as a senior advisor to Trump. Born on August 23, 1985, in Santa Monica, California, Miller got a BA in political science from the Duke University in 2007.

He is known to be the architect of Trump’s immigration policies such as the travel ban, family separation, and efforts to end DACA.

Stephen Miller’s career

He worked as a Congressional aide for several GOP members of Congress namely Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) and Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL). Miller became Sessions’ communications director, honing a focus on immigration.

Stephen Miller’s rise to national prominence

He joined the 2016 Trump Campaign as a senior policy advisor and speechwriter. He helped craft many of Trump’s speeches and hardline immigration stance.

In the Trump administration, he became Senior Advisor to the President. He held immense influence over immigration, refugee policy, and public rhetoric.

Stephen Miller and Donald Trump

Miller was one of Trump’s closest and most loyal aides, serving from 2017 to 2021.

Known for echoing and reinforcing Trump’s nationalist, anti-immigration rhetoric.

Played a key behind-the-scenes role in shaping policies such as the Muslim travel ban, Zero tolerance policy (which led to family separations at the border), the effort to end DACA and drastic reductions in refugee admissions

Despite being disliked by many colleagues, Trump reportedly valued Miller’s ideological consistency and loyalty.

Stephen Miller’s Controversies

Immigration Policies:

Family Separation Policy: Miller was the primary advocate for separating children from parents at the U.S.–Mexico border in 2018.Muslim Ban: Helped design and defend the travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries.Asylum Restrictions: Worked to make it extremely difficult for migrants to claim asylum.Ending DACA: Pushed hard to dismantle protections for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

Leaked Emails (2019):

Leaked emails from 2015–16 revealed Miller had shared:

White nationalist websites like VDARE and American RenaissanceAnti-immigration propagandaAlleged endorsements of eugenicist texts and white nationalist talking pointsThe Southern Poverty Law Center and many lawmakers called for his resignation. He did not resign.

Miller’s Post-Trump Activities

Founded America First Legal (AFL): A right-wing legal group challenging Biden administration policies in court, often focused on race, immigration, and gender issues.

Remains a key figure in Trump’s orbit and is expected to play a role if Trump wins a second term in 2024.

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