UPDATE: Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller faced intense criticism today after his controversial statement labeling a judicial ruling as “legal insurrection.” The backlash includes a scathing response from former federal prosecutor Preet Bharara, who called Miller’s remarks “absurd” and a “self-cancelling oxymoron.”
The incident unfolded on July 15, 2023, during a press briefing where Miller was questioned about his attack on a Trump-appointed judge who temporarily blocked the federalization of Oregon’s National Guard troops. Miller stated, “You called a legal ruling, legal insurrection. Are you recommending the president take action against judges with rulings you disagree with?”
Miller vehemently defended his position, saying, “It’s simply a factually accurate statement that when a judge assumes for him or herself the powers that have been delegated by the Constitution to the president, that is a form of illegal insurrection.” He argued that many district court judges have issued rulings that are “flagrantly unlawful and unconstitutional,” which he claims has led to a “legal insurrection” over the past nine months.
Bharara quickly rebutted Miller in a public statement, emphasizing that a judge’s ruling is grounded in law and cannot be described as an insurrection. He stated, “What the hell even is that? It’s a self-cancelling oxymoron.” He further explained that “by definition, an insurrection is a violent uprising against authority,” contrasting it with lawful judicial processes.
This heated exchange is rooted in a court ruling that blocked the deployment of National Guard troops in Oregon, a decision that Miller and others in the Trump administration vehemently opposed. Bharara noted that this ruling was based on a statute requiring a “rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States.”
The former prosecutor condemned Miller’s language as “dangerous nonsense,” stating that it undermines the rule of law. Bharara pointed out that Miller’s comments reflect a troubling trend of dismissing legitimate judicial processes as acts of treachery.
The backlash against Miller’s statements is significant, as it highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary. Bharara urged Miller and others to pursue their disagreements through proper legal channels rather than resorting to inflammatory rhetoric.
As this story develops, observers are calling for a return to respect for the judicial process amid escalating tensions in American politics. Bharara concluded his remarks by challenging Miller and his supporters to take their grievances to the appeals court, emphasizing the importance of allowing the rule of law to take its course.
Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding situation as reactions continue to pour in from across the political spectrum.
