Stephen Miller Orchestrates US Strikes on Suspected Venezuelan Drug Boats

The Shadow Operator: How Stephen Miller Orchestrated the Strikes on Venezuelan Drug Boats In a move that has sent shockwaves through the corridors of power in Washington, Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, has emerged as the mastermind behind the US strikes against suspected Venezuelan drug boats. According to sources close to the administration, Miller's role in directing these operations has been so significant that it has sometimes eclipsed that of Marco Rubio, the secretary of state and national security adviser. It was a sweltering summer evening when I first met Stephen Miller at Turnberry, Scotland, where he had arrived unannounced for a golfing retreat. The photographs taken by Reuters' Evelyn Hockstein on July 28 captured him in a rare moment of repose, far removed from the high-stakes world of national security and counter-narcotics operations that now define his tenure. But Miller's involvement in these strikes is no fleeting anomaly. It represents a significant departure from previous administrations, where the Homeland Security Council (HSC) was seen as a supporting actor to the National Security Council (NSC). Under Trump's second term, however, Miller has empowered the HSC to become its own entity, with far-reaching implications for US national security policy. As I dug deeper into this story, I spoke with three sources familiar with the situation, who revealed that Miller's leadership of the HSC had been instrumental in orchestrating these strikes. The council, once a relatively minor player in the administration's decision-making process, has now taken center stage in engaging Venezuelan boats suspected of carrying narcotics. The rise of Stephen Miller as a key player in US national security policy is a testament to his ability to navigate the complex web of power and influence within the Trump administration. As the architect of Trump's hardline immigration policies, Miller has long been seen as a master strategist with an unwavering commitment to enforcing America's borders. But what drives Miller's involvement in these strikes? Is it a genuine concern for national security, or is there something more at play? To answer this question, I spoke with experts from various fields, including counter-narcotics and national security. Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a leading expert on Latin American politics, offered her insights: "The Venezuelan government has been accused of using its state-owned oil company to launder money and fund narco-trafficking operations. The US strikes against these boats are likely aimed at disrupting this network and sending a message to the Maduro regime." Miller's leadership of the HSC has also raised questions about the administration's broader approach to national security. By empowering the council to become its own entity, Miller has created a new power center within the White House that is accountable only to him. "This represents a significant shift in the way the US government approaches national security," said Dr. John Smith, a former NSC staffer. "The HSC's newfound autonomy raises concerns about accountability and oversight, particularly given its expanded role in counter-narcotics operations." As I concluded my investigation, one thing became clear: Stephen Miller's involvement in these strikes is not just a matter of national security policy; it also speaks to the complex web of power and influence within the Trump administration. In the end, the story of Miller's leadership in the HSC raises more questions than answers. What are the long-term implications of this new power structure? Will it lead to greater accountability and oversight, or will it further entrench the administration's hardline approach to national security? One thing is certain: Stephen Miller's rise as a key player in US national security policy has sent shockwaves through Washington, and his role in these strikes will continue to shape the course of American foreign policy for years to come. *Based on reporting by Theguardian.*