House Oversight Chairman Elijah E. Cummings invited top White House advisor Stephen Miller to come to Capitol Hill to testify about his role in key immigration decisions.
Mr. Cummings said the invitation was entirely voluntary, but said it would be a chance for Mr. Miller to make his case for the president’s policies directly to members of Congress, with the American public able to tune in.
The request is almost certain to be refused, as administrations are reluctant to have close presidential advisors who aren’t in confirmed positions testify. It’s usually considered a breach of the president’s ability to get advice from his team.
But Mr. Cummings, anticipating those objections, said it has happened in the past, including testimony by one former White House chief of staff and three former White House counsels.
Mr. Cummings said Mr. Miller has been thrust into a key role on one of the biggest issues of the day by President Trump, who reportedly said Mr. Miller was “in charge” when it comes to immigration decisions.
“I am offering you an opportunity to make your case to the committee and the American people about why you — and presumably President Trump — believe it is good policy for the Trump administration to take the actions it has,” the chairman wrote.
He laid controversial policies such as last year’s zero tolerance border policy, and the resulting family separations, at Mr. Miller’s feet. He also suggested Mr. Miller was behind Mr. Trump’s latest idea of taking illegal immigrants who are overwhelming the border communities right now and shipping them to sanctuary cities.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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