In a bombshell statement that has sent shockwaves through the political world, Stephen Miller, former senior advisor to President Donald Trump, has accused California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of committing "crimes against humanity."
Miller’s comments came in the wake of growing controversy over the sanctuary policies of California, which he claims are contributing to violent crime and endangering American citizens.
Miller’s explosive remarks were aimed squarely at Newsom and Bass, both of whom have been staunch defenders of California’s sanctuary state laws. These laws limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, particularly U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The sanctuary policies were enacted with the aim of protecting undocumented immigrants from deportation, but critics, like Miller, argue that they have created an environment in which dangerous criminals can evade deportation and continue to pose a threat to public safety.
“Mayor of Los Angeles and the Governor of California run the largest sanctuary city and the largest sanctuary state in America,” Miller said. “They refuse to turn over tens of thousands of serial criminal illegal aliens to ICE, so they get arrested by state or local authorities and they get cut loose.”
According to Miller, this decision to protect undocumented individuals has disastrous consequences. He argues that many of those released after being arrested for serious crimes go on to commit even more violent offenses, including assault, armed robbery, home invasion, and murder.
“They then go on to commit crimes like assault, armed robbery, home invasion, and murder,” Miller asserted, calling these crimes “the most unimaginable, egregious crimes you can think of.”
In his critique, Miller did not hold back, blaming Newsom and Bass directly for the suffering caused by these criminals. “All of that blood, all of that suffering, all of that heartache squarely on the soul and conscience of California’s Governor and the Mayor of Los Angeles,” Miller stated.
The rhetoric escalated as Miller accused both Newsom and Bass of being complicit in human trafficking and other heinous crimes. “They are guilty of crimes against humanity,” he charged, a phrase that has major political and legal implications.
Miller went on to claim that the sanctuary policies facilitated child trafficking and sex trafficking, accusing Newsom and Bass of turning a blind eye to these atrocities in the name of political expediency.
Miller’s comments are part of a broader narrative being pushed by many conservative figures who argue that sanctuary policies, which shield undocumented immigrants from deportation, are endangering the safety of American citizens.
The debate over sanctuary cities and states has been a major point of contention in U.S. politics, with liberals emphasizing the need for compassion toward immigrants and conservatives focusing on law enforcement and public safety concerns.
For Newsom and Bass, these accusations are particularly damaging as they both face increasing scrutiny over their handling of crime and immigration issues.
Newsom, a former mayor of San Francisco, has positioned himself as a progressive leader who is committed to protecting immigrants and fighting for social justice.
However, as crime rates have surged in California’s major cities, his stance on immigration has come under fire. Critics, including Miller, argue that Newsom’s unwavering defense of sanctuary policies is putting the lives of Californians at risk.
Bass, who has only recently taken office as mayor of Los Angeles, has faced similar criticism. Los Angeles, a city with one of the largest immigrant populations in the U.S., has long been a stronghold of sanctuary policies.
Bass has made it clear that she is committed to protecting immigrants, but she is also under pressure to address rising crime in the city. As violent crime continues to spike in Los Angeles, the sanctuary issue has become a flashpoint in her early days as mayor.
Miller’s comments are not just a critique of sanctuary policies but also an attempt to frame the issue as a moral crisis. By accusing Newsom and Bass of “crimes against humanity,” Miller is casting their actions as not just political disagreements but as direct contributions to suffering and death.
This accusation echoes broader criticisms from Trump and his supporters, who have repeatedly called for a tougher stance on immigration and law enforcement.
Miller’s argument rests on the premise that sanctuary policies allow criminal aliens to remain in the U.S., thus increasing the likelihood that they will commit further violent crimes.
He claims that the policies, which limit the cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration agents, are exacerbating crime in cities like Los Angeles.
“When you meet with the families as you have, Griff, whose loved ones have been raped and killed and slaughtered by criminally illegal aliens who have no right to be in this country, what Newsom are doing and what Bass is doing are unforgivable,” Miller said, referencing families who have lost loved ones to violent criminals.
While Miller’s words are undeniably inflammatory, they highlight a major divide in American politics: the clash between those who emphasize compassion and those who prioritize safety and security.
Advocates for sanctuary policies argue that they are necessary to protect undocumented immigrants, many of whom are fleeing violence and poverty in their home countries.
They contend that immigrants, regardless of their legal status, should be treated with dignity and respect and not be subject to deportation for minor offenses.
Opponents of sanctuary policies, including Miller, assert that these policies put the safety of American citizens at risk. They argue that by shielding undocumented immigrants from deportation, sanctuary cities and states are allowing dangerous individuals to remain in the country and commit further crimes.
Miller’s accusations are part of a broader effort to paint sanctuary cities as dangerous and irresponsible, portraying leaders like Newsom and Bass as negligent in their duty to protect their citizens.
For many conservatives, the case for tougher immigration policies is clear-cut. They argue that illegal immigration is not just a matter of economic or social policy but of national security and public safety.
“The Democrat Party seems to only care about two groups right now—criminals and illegal aliens,” Miller said, accusing the party of prioritizing the interests of those who break the law over the safety of American citizens. This sentiment resonates strongly with Trump’s supporters, who view immigration as one of the central issues of his presidency.
On the other side of the debate, liberals argue that the U.S. must find a way to balance enforcement with compassion. They stress that immigrants, particularly those who are undocumented, often face tremendous hardships and that the focus should be on reforming the immigration system, not punishing those who are simply trying to survive.
The sanctuary movement, they argue, is about creating safe spaces for immigrants, not harboring criminals.
While the ideological divide remains stark, the real-world consequences of these debates are playing out on the streets of American cities. As crime continues to rise in places like Los Angeles and San Francisco, the sanctuary issue has become increasingly contentious.
Law enforcement agencies, particularly ICE and Border Patrol, have found themselves at odds with local officials who refuse to fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Miller’s comments have added fuel to the fire, casting Newsom and Bass as responsible for the carnage caused by criminal aliens. His rhetoric is aimed at rallying support for stricter immigration enforcement and pressuring Democrats to abandon sanctuary policies.
His reference to ICE agents and Border Patrol officers highlights the broader push for more resources and authority for federal immigration authorities, a stance that is in direct opposition to the policies of sanctuary cities and states.
For Newsom and Bass, the road ahead may be fraught with political fallout. Both leaders are facing significant pressure to address crime and safety concerns in their cities while also balancing their commitments to protecting immigrants.
Miller’s accusations have now placed them in a difficult position, with critics arguing that their sanctuary policies are contributing to the very problems they are attempting to solve.
As the debate continues to unfold, it is clear that immigration and crime will remain central issues in the political discourse, particularly as the 2024 election cycle approaches.
Miller’s remarks, though provocative, underscore the deepening divisions in American politics over immigration and law enforcement. With both sides entrenched in their positions, finding a solution that satisfies both concerns—public safety and immigrant rights—seems increasingly elusive.
For Newsom, Bass, and their political allies, the coming months will likely be defined by ongoing battles over sanctuary policies and their impact on the safety of American communities.
