Schneider, Wasserman Schultz Lead Jewish Members of Congress in Call for Dismissal of White House Senior Advisor Stephen Miller
Miller’s “documented support for white nationalist and virulently anti-immigrant tropes is wholly unacceptable and disqualifying for a government employee,” write 25 Members of Congress
Today, 25 Jewish Members of Congress called for the dismissal of White House Senior Advisor Stephen Miller for disseminating the views of hate groups supportive of white supremacy and virulently anti-immigrant tropes.
The letter to President Donald Trump was led by U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), and signed by all Jewish Democratic Members of Congress.
"The recently released emails show Stephen Miller trafficking the views of white supremacist hate groups that espouse a repugnant and extreme anti-immigrant agenda," said the letter's co-leads Schneider and Wasserman Schultz. "These hateful views have no place in our government, much less just steps from the Oval Office. At this time of rising antisemitism, xenophobia, racism and white supremacy, we must forcefully call out and refuse to accept intolerance or hate anywhere within our government."
The letter writers also refuted the claim, promoted by an official in the White House, that criticism of Miller is "clearly a form of anti-Semitism."
"We are also deeply troubled that your Administration is claiming that legitimate criticism of Miller is anti-Semitic simply because Miller is Jewish. Nothing could be further from the truth. Hateful ideology is not just unacceptable, it is un-American, irrespective of the faith, race, or nationality of the individual promoting it. Weaponizing anti-Semitism is incredibly dangerous – by muddying the waters, we are no longer able to see and fight against the real anti-Semites in our midst," write the 25 Jewish Members of Congress in the letter.
Letter text below:
December 20, 2019
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
As Jewish members of Congress, we are calling on you to immediately relieve White House Senior Advisor Stephen Miller of all government responsibilities and dismiss him from your Administration. His documented support for white nationalist and virulently anti-immigrant tropes is wholly unacceptable and disqualifying for a government employee.
As demonstrated by his recently released emails, Miller frequently disseminated the views of multiple hate groups supportive of white supremacy and other vile ideologies throughout 2016. His distribution of materials fear-mongering about "white genocide" and supporting eugenics-based immigration theories are particularly disturbing given his leadership of your Administration's immigration policies. With America experiencing historic levels of anti-Semitism, xenophobia, racism, and white supremacy, there should be no place in our government and on any President's staff for people propagating such views.
We are also deeply troubled that your Administration is claiming that legitimate criticism of Miller is anti-Semitic simply because Miller is Jewish. Nothing could be further from the truth. Hateful ideology is not just unacceptable, it is un-American, irrespective of the faith, race, or nationality of the individual promoting it. Weaponizing anti-Semitism is incredibly dangerous – by muddying the waters, we are no longer able to see and fight against the real anti-Semites in our midst.
We will not now, or ever, accept intolerance or hate anywhere within our government, and especially not in the White House. On behalf of the American taxpayers from our districts contributing to Miller's salary, we urge you to immediately dismiss Stephen Miller from his duties and the White House.