Indiana Republican calls it 'a bad mistake' for Stephen Miller to be promoted

Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) said "it was a bad mistake" to promote Stephen Miller to White House chief of staff rather than fire him.

Speaking to CNN's Manu Raju on "Inside Politics Sunday," Stutzman said, "I think it was a bad mistake" to promote Miller, as President Donald Trump did after Republicans suffered a shellacking in Tuesday's midterms.

Republicans lost dozens of House seats on Tuesday, including one in Indiana. Stutzman, whose district is in northern Indiana, did win another term, but his share of the vote dropped from 65% in 2024 to under 55% this year.

"I come from the business world just like President Trump does," Stutzman said, "and you know what? If your team takes a beating as badly as we took this last week, you have to fire people. You don't promote those who are, who were in charge of what was supposed to be delivered."

Stutzman added about Miller: "He's not liked out here in the Midwest by people. They don't like his tone."

The Indiana Republican did say he would not support calls to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. saying it was Trump's decision whether Hegseth remained in his position.

Democrats will emerge from the elections with at least 254 House seats; Republicans have won 162 seats. Nineteen races remain undecided as of Sunday morning .

Stutzman said he wants Republicans to be like the 1990s Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan, an NBA team that was both wildly successful and beloved. For the future, Stutzman said Republicans need to accomplish all they can without leaving a bad taste in people's mouths.

"Let our playing do the talking rather than going out and bashing on people that don't need to be bashed on," he told Raju.