WASHINGTON, D.C., August 25, 2025 — White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller unleashed a scathing attack on liberal protesters during a visit to Union Station, calling them “stupid white hippies” and “crazy communists” who don’t represent Washington, D.C.’s majority-Black population. Accompanied by Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Miller was touting President Trump’s federal takeover of D.C. police and National Guard deployment, credited with a 10-day homicide-free streak. The August 20 event, meant to highlight a 35% drop in violent crime, was disrupted by protesters chanting “Free D.C.” and banging drums.
Miller’s remarks, accusing demonstrators of advocating for “criminals, killers, and drug dealers,” sparked backlash for their inflammatory tone and racial implications. Critics, including local activists, noted the diverse crowd of protesters, contradicting Miller’s claim of “elderly white hippies.” A Washington Post-Schar School poll found 79% of D.C. residents oppose Trump’s police takeover, with 65% doubting it enhances safety.
The administration defends the crackdown, citing 550 arrests since August 7, but Mayor Muriel Bowser called the federal presence an overreach. Miller’s rhetoric, echoing Trump’s combative style, has deepened divisions, with some praising his bluntness and others condemning it as divisive. The Union Station visit, where Vance and Hegseth also mocked protesters, underscores the administration’s aggressive push to reshape D.C.’s security landscape amid ongoing protests.
