The Putin Parallel- Part VII
Much like Vladimir Putin’s maneuver in 2008—stepping aside to let Dmitry Medvedev assume the Russian presidency while retaining power as Prime Minister—Stephen Miller has taken on the role of the shadow executive. He may never appear on a ballot, but he doesn’t need to. Trump is the figurehead; Miller is the engineer behind the curtain.
The dynamic is eerily familiar: a public-facing leader buoyed by populism, and a backroom strategist using state tools to push ideological transformation.
🔵 Throughout Trump’s presidency (past/current), Miller has operated as a quiet central force. He controlled the flow of executive orders, dictated immigration policy, coordinated legal challenges, and vetted appointments. Trump, known for his lack of interest in detail, delegated much of the actual policy drafting to Miller—sometimes without fully reading what he was signing. Former White House aides have described moments where Trump was handed documents by Miller in bulk, often with little explanation beyond a superficial pitch.
🔵 Now, in the post-presidency era, Miller has assumed an even more insulated form of power. Through America First Legal and Project 2025, he influences Republican policy without holding office. His lawsuits shape public discourse, his personnel database helps determine who will populate a future administration, and his policy papers circulate through conservative think tanks and legal networks. While Trump dominates headlines, Miller is preparing the infrastructure of governance behind the scenes.
🔵 This structural power, divorced from accountability, mirrors the tactics used by authoritarian regimes worldwide. When Miller challenges even the conservative-led Supreme Court for decisions he finds unfavorable, it is not a political disagreement—it’s a declaration that no institution is above the ideology he champions.
📢 Final Closing Line for Part VII:
As he sues the very Supreme Court that once protected many of his policies, Stephen Miller reveals his ultimate goal:
"Not just influence, but dominion over the legal and political future of the United States."
📢 Next up: The Unelected Executor Series — Final Reflection:
The Cost to the Republic. 🚀