Stephen Miller Critiques COVID Lockdowns Amid Misleading Claims

Stephen Miller, a former senior advisor to President Donald Trump, recently criticized COVID-19 lockdowns during an appearance on Fox News. He attributed the negative impacts of these measures to President Joe Biden, while claiming that Trump swiftly reversed their effects. His comments, however, raised questions regarding the timeline of lockdowns and the economic realities during Trump’s presidency.

During his segment on Jesse Watters Primetime, Miller stated, “People got pummeled for four years of Biden in every way a human being can be pummeled,” referencing the impacts of COVID lockdowns, inflation, and immigration. He asserted that President Trump effectively ended these challenges within months of taking office, a claim that overlooks the historical context of the pandemic.

In March 2020, the Trump administration implemented initial lockdown measures, urging Americans to remain at home and avoid gatherings of ten or more people. By the end of March, these guidelines were extended through April, leading to widespread closures of schools, restaurants, and other public places. Trump himself expressed reluctance about the shutdown, stating, “I wasn’t happy about it,” and highlighting his concerns about the unprecedented nature of such actions.

As states began to gradually lift restrictions in May 2020, Trump criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for having overly cautious guidelines for reopening. Miller’s assertion that lockdowns were swiftly reversed by Trump is misleading, given that the lockdown protocols were not in effect by January 2025, when Trump left office.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment regarding Miller’s statements. Additionally, Miller’s claims about “crazy spending” and “runaway inflation” under Biden also appear to lack supporting data. An analysis by The New York Times indicates that federal spending actually increased during Trump’s presidency, contradicting Miller’s narrative.

In discussing inflation, Miller suggested that Trump could reduce it dramatically, stating, “Donald Trump comes back in and inflation is down to near benchmark rates of 2 percent within months.” However, this assertion fails to align with actual inflation data. As of January 2025, inflation was approximately 3 percent, and by November, it had decreased to 2.7 percent.

According to a recent CBS/YouGov poll, Trump continues to face criticism regarding his handling of the economy, with a majority of Americans attributing economic issues to his previous policies rather than those of President Biden.

In summary, while Stephen Miller’s comments on Fox News aimed to critique the COVID-19 lockdowns and their aftermath, they gloss over important historical facts and economic data from Trump’s presidency. The conversation around these issues remains complex, as public opinion continues to shape perceptions of both administrations.