CALGARY, ALBERTA (RFD-TV) — President Donald Trump’s appointment of Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff could influence which agricultural policy priorities receive attention and how the administration approaches issues affecting farmers.
Miller was named to replace Susie Wiles on November 6.
Shaun Haney, host of RealAg Radio, joined Market Day Report to discuss the potential implications for agriculture, including biofuels, immigration policy, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement and industry access to the White House.
Chief of Staff Plays a Key Role in Policy Priorities
In his interview with RFD-TV News, Haney said the chief of staff has significant influence over the administration’s operations and policy direction. The position includes overseeing senior White House staff, managing access to the president and coordinating policy discussions.
“Essentially, the gatekeeper to the Oval Office,” Haney said.
He explained that the chief of staff also serves as a key adviser to the president, helping bring different sides together and move legislative priorities forward.
Haney noted that Congress has been stalled on legislation, with the administration relying more heavily on executive orders. He said it remains to be seen whether that approach will change under Miller.
Haney also expects Miller to take a more visible role than Wiles, who largely remained out of the public spotlight.
Biofuels Could Benefit From “America First” Focus
Haney said Miller’s policy priorities could create opportunities for some areas of agriculture, particularly domestic biofuels.
He pointed to the administration’s America First approach and its emphasis on energy independence and domestic feedstocks as potential advantages for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
“If he’s on the side of agricultural issues, we can expect some action here,” Haney said.
However, Haney also noted that Miller previously played a role in small refinery exemption decisions, an issue that has implications for the biofuels industry.
He said the administration’s approach to those decisions will be worth watching as Miller takes on the new position.
Immigration and MAHA Policies Could Raise Concerns
Haney said some potential areas of concern for agriculture are more apparent, particularly immigration policy and the MAHA movement.
With the agricultural industry looking for H-2A reform, Haney said Miller’s support for the administration’s immigration policies could complicate those efforts.
He also pointed to Miller’s relationship with the MAHA movement, referencing comments from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. following the appointment.
Haney said crop producers who rely on products approved by the Environmental Protection Agency could have questions about what the administration’s direction means for those tools and their availability.
Lobbyist Access and White House Communication
Haney also highlighted a new memo requiring approval for certain interactions between White House staff and lobbyists.
He said the policy could benefit agriculture if industry representatives are included in the approval process, but could create challenges if they are not.
Haney said the details of who receives access and how those decisions are made will be important to follow.
Finally, he discussed changes to White House communication practices that he believes could provide more insight into how cabinet officials view their policy portfolios, including Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
LEARN MORE: www.realagriculture.com
