Conservative Jewish groups have welcomed the appointment of Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff, seeing it as a positive step in combating antisemitism. In a letter congratulating Miller, groups including the Combat Antisemitism Movement and the Zionist Organization of America expressed their interest in working with him to hold institutions accountable for protecting Jewish Americans from discrimination and harassment. They described Miller's appointment as a reflection of the longstanding contributions of Jewish Americans to public service.
Miller's appointment was announced by US President Donald Trump, who described him as one of his most trusted advisers. The move comes after the Republican Party incurred significant losses in the midterm elections. Miller previously served as deputy chief of staff to Trump and has been a key figure in shaping the president's policies, including hard-line immigration policies that have been criticized by liberal groups.
Liberal Jewish groups, however, have expressed alarm at Miller's appointment, warning that his hard-line politics could make Jewish communities more vulnerable. Amy Spitalnick, chief executive of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said that Miller's appointment would reinforce the administration's normalization of antisemitism and extremism. She noted that Miller's embrace of anti-immigrant rhetoric has been linked to a cycle of deadly violence targeting Jews and others.
The Jewish community has become increasingly divided over the best means of combating antisemitism, with some groups supporting Trump's approach and others opposing it. Trump's administration has taken steps to counter antisemitism, including issuing an executive order in January 2025 requiring new measures for combating antisemitism. The Justice Department has also launched a multi-agency Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism.
Miller has longstanding links to Trump, including on a personal level. His wedding officiant at the Trump DC hotel was Rabbi Aryeh Lightstone, who was involved with the administration's Abraham Accords. However, Miller's critics have pointed out that he has embraced conspiracy theories that can be linked to Jews, including the idea that Democrats want to flood America with immigrants who are likely to vote against Republicans.
The appointment has also been criticized by liberal pro-Israel groups, including J Street, which likened Miller to Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition. Robert Reich, a former US secretary of labour, expressed concern that Miller's appointment would have a negative impact on the country, saying that Miller is "bigoted, xenophobic, and vicious".
The White House press office did not respond to requests for comment on Miller's appointment. Spitalnick also criticized the administration for rolling back programs aimed at countering hate, including at the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Education and extremism prevention programs at the Department of Homeland Security. She warned that Miller's role could make Jewish and other vulnerable communities less safe.
Key points
- Conservative Jewish groups welcome Stephen Miller's appointment as White House chief of staff, citing his role in combating antisemitism.
- Liberal Jewish groups express alarm at Miller's appointment, warning that his hard-line politics could make Jewish communities more vulnerable.
- The appointment has sparked debate within the Jewish community over the best means of combating antisemitism.
