Stephen Miller blasts press over MS-13 coverage: ‘Had to shame you’

President Donald Trump’s administration has been vocal about the need for media coverage of stories related to MS-13 and Tren de Aragua violence in the United States. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller recently criticized some media outlets for not giving enough attention to these issues, accusing them of trying to “shill” for accused MS-13 members.

During a White House briefing, Miller highlighted the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a suspected MS-13 gang member who was deported from the U.S. and is now being held in El Salvador. According to Miller, Abrego Garcia has a history of violence, including threats and assaults against his spouse, as well as human trafficking and smuggling offenses. Miller pointed to an MS-13 tattoo on Abrego Garcia’s knuckles as evidence of his affiliation with the gang.

Miller also criticized the Biden administration for allowing two Tren de Aragua members to go on supervised release before they were arrested for the sexual assault and murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in June 2024. He accused the former president of “importing” violent individuals into the country and emphasized the dangers posed by these criminal elements.

The images from the briefing show Miller gesturing at the podium and speaking passionately about the need for media coverage of these issues. He called out reporters for their lack of interest in these stories, suggesting that President Trump had to “shame” them into covering the violence perpetrated by MS-13 and Tren de Aragua members.

In another image, Miller is seen speaking alongside White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, emphasizing the administration’s stance on deporting suspected gang members with ties to violent organizations like MS-13. Despite some controversy over the presence of MS-13 tattoos on Abrego Garcia, Miller stood by the administration’s decision to deport individuals with documented ties to criminal gangs.

During the briefing, Miller challenged reporters to consider living next door to MS-13, Mexican Mafia, or Sinaloa Cartel members, suggesting that they would not willingly choose to do so even if offered a rent-free home. He highlighted the hypocrisy of media coverage that downplays the dangers posed by these criminal organizations while pushing for policies that could potentially put innocent Americans at risk.

Overall, Miller’s message was clear: the Trump administration will not tolerate sympathy for terrorists who threaten the safety and security of American communities. By highlighting the stories of individuals like Abrego Garcia and the tragic case of Jocelyn Nungaray, the administration hopes to raise awareness about the ongoing threat posed by violent gangs operating within the U.S. borders.