Sarah McCammon

Consider this.

Stephen Miller is largely credited with channeling President Trump's desires and making his vision of America real.

What motivates Stephen Miller?

From NPR, I'm Sarah McCammon.

It's Consider This from NPR.

Stephen Miller is a polarizing character, and we know that President Trump trusts him.

So how far-reaching is his role in our government?

That's Ashley Parker, a staff writer for The Atlantic.

Her new article is called The Wrath of Stephen Miller.

I spoke to her earlier, and I started by asking her just how powerful Stephen Miller is in the administration.

LESLIE KENDRICK You spoke with several folks within the administration about Miller's style, and you describe him as, quote, the pulsing human id of a president who is already almost pure id.

LESLIE KENDRICK

What does that mean, Ashley, and how does that style shape the way that the administration is functioning?

But you talk about Miller as somebody who has a very strong point of view.

He casts political disagreements as this existential struggle between good and evil, for example.

I mean, how much is Miller shaping or trying to shape the president's viewpoint versus reflecting or amplifying his

A decade ago, Stephen Miller was a speechwriter for Trump.

What led to his ascendance between the two Trump administrations?

Before I let you go, Ashley, what is it that you want people to understand about Stephen Miller and about his role in the Trump administration at this moment?

Ashley Parker is a staff writer for The Atlantic.