Published: October 8, 2025
Summary
Stephen Miller, Trump administration aide, claimed President Trump has “plenary authority” during a live CNN interview on October 6, 2025, while discussing military deployment. Miller appeared to freeze or stop speaking after making the controversial statement.
What Happened
- CNN Interview: Miller made the claim during a live interview while discussing Trump’s authority to deploy National Guard troops
- Awkward Moment: Miller appeared to “glitch” or freeze after making the statement, suggesting he may have misspoken
- Context: The comment was made in relation to federal military intervention and state deployments
What is “Plenary Authority”?
Plenary authority refers to:
- Absolute, unlimited power
- Unchecked authority without constitutional constraints
- Complete decision-making power without legal limitations
Legal and Constitutional Issues
- Not Constitutionally Granted: Even the Insurrection Act doesn’t grant plenary authority to the president
- Separation of Powers: The U.S. Constitution establishes checks and balances, not unlimited presidential power
- Legal Experts Criticize: Constitutional scholars are pushing back against the claim as false and dangerous
Public Reaction
- Viral Moment: The “freeze” moment has gone viral on social media
- Political Controversy: Critics argue this reveals authoritarian tendencies
- Constitutional Concerns: Legal experts warn about implications for democratic governance
Legal Implications
Not Criminal Speech
Claiming the president has “plenary authority” is not itself a crime:
- First Amendment Protection: Making false or misleading statements about presidential power is generally protected speech
- No Direct Crime: Simply claiming expanded executive authority isn’t a criminal offense
Potential Legal Issues If Acted Upon
If such claims were used to justify illegal actions:
- Seditious Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 2384)
- Conspiring to overthrow or oppose the authority of the United States
- Using force against federal authority
- Insurrection (18 U.S.C. § 2383)
- Inciting rebellion against U.S. authority
- Engaging in insurrection against the United States
- Abuse of Power/Official Misconduct
- Using false claims of authority to exceed legal powers
- Violating constitutional constraints
- Civil Rights Violations (18 U.S.C. § 242)
- Depriving citizens of constitutional rights under color of law
The Real Concern
The danger isn’t the claim itself, but:
- Using it to justify unconstitutional actions
- Undermining democratic institutions
- Preparing ground for authoritarian overreach
Key Quotes
“Miller is under fire for saying Trump has ‘plenary authority’ – the absolute power to make the decision – while discussing the deployment of [military forces]” — Economic Times
“Stephen Miller just accidentally said the quiet part out loud — bragging that Trump has ‘plenary authority'” — YouTube commentary
Validated Sources
- CNN – Original interview with Boris Sanchez, October 6, 2025
- “Sanchez questions Miller calling protesters ‘street terrorists'”
- Published 3:45 PM EDT, Mon October 6, 2025
- Video: CNN Interview – Boris Sanchez & Stephen Miller
- The Pink News – October 8, 2025
- “Stephen Miller freezes after claiming Trump has ‘plenary authority'”
- Reports on the “bizarre interview” moment
- Reddit/Military Community – Analysis post
- “Miller glitches while falsely claiming Title 10 gives Trump Plenary authority”
- Community discussion on constitutional limitations
- Instagram/Social Media – October 7, 2025
- Viral clip showing the freeze moment
- “Steven? Steven? Hey, Steven. Can you hear me”
Additional Video Coverage:
- YouTube Analysis: Stephen Miller LETS IT SLIP as Interview BLOWS UP
- Fox News Coverage: Stephen Miller’s response to racial profiling questions
- Economic Times – October 8, 2025
- “What is plenary authority? Trump aide raises eyebrows after making bizarre claim”
- International coverage of the incident
Primary Source: CNN interview with Boris Sanchez, October 6, 2025, 3:45 PM EDT