Stephen Miller has been by President Trump’s side for most of the last 10 years of the president’s political career, taking center stage on some of the president's biggest battles – from border security to culture wars.

The crackdown on crime in the nation’s capital is Miller’s latest project, working to make his own mark as Trump and his administration officials fan out across the city to highlight a federal take over.

“Trump sees transforming Washington, D.C. as a victory that would define his legacy, and Miller is the one shaping and driving that message,” an aide in Trump’s first term said.

Miller, who serves as deputy chief of staff, joined Trump on Thursday evening to greet federal law enforcement agents who have been patrolling D.C at a U.S. Park Police facility in Anacostia. Miller stood next to Homeland Security Secretary Krisi Noem while the president touted the success of the crime crackdown.

Days prior, Miller joined Vice President Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at Union Station to meet with National Guard troops, during which the deputy chief of staff railed against what he called “stupid white hippies” who were protesting the federal law enforcement in the nation’s capital.

As a key player in Trump’s orbit, Miller has a hand in major policy decisions, especially on domestic matters like issues of immigration and crime in cities that are run by Democrats. Trump said on Friday that the federal government would turn its attention to Chicago next.

“He is the 85 percent center of gravity in the White House,” a source close to the White House said of Miller. “It’s almost like open knowledge that if he’s not involved in it then it’s not important.”

“This is square right in the middle of his world. All the executive orders,........

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