Stephen Miller seen as "walking policy encyclopedia" on immigration. WH politicos defer to him bc they lack context for understanding how one-sided his "expertise" is. He's fluent in his version of the narrative. There are no countervailing facts/perspectives in this Admin. 1/
This is true of the other hard-line anti-immigration ideologues within Administration. Another key example is ex-DHS hand Gene Hamilton, another former Sessions staffer, now at DOJ. Back at DHS, John Kelly deferred to him on consequential policies. 2/
Like Miller, Hamilton is young, w thin credentials. Seems inconceivable that a four-star general (even one with pronounced views on stemming immigration) would defer to him. One main reason? Immigration policy is technical. When Kelly started, Hamilton was there w answers. 3/
As more career folks in government have departed and/or have been increasingly marginalized, the problem's gotten worse. One place (among so many others) to look going forward: refugee policy. Miller, Hamilton, and their allies at State will drive policy w no opposition. /end
