White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller faced criticism after making comments that appeared to connect physical appearance with moral character during a State Department diplomatic meeting.

Miller argued that people involved in left-wing protests, including what he described as “violent antifa demonstrations,” showed signs of being abnormal or physically flawed.

He later suggested that people on the political left are motivated by envy when they see those who are beautiful, successful, religious, and have what he described as ideal families and lives.

The remarks drew backlash from commentators who argued that Miller was attempting to claim moral and religious authority while promoting ideas that conflict with widely cited religious teachings about judging others.

MSNBC analyst Luke Russert criticized Miller’s argument, pointing to biblical passages that caution against judging people based on outward appearances.

Critics also noted that Miller’s comments were especially controversial given his previous role in shaping Trump administration immigration policies, including the family separation policy, and past scrutiny over emails in which he promoted material associated with white nationalist ideas.The article also references a previous incident in which Miller mocked Democratic Texas state Rep.James Talarico with a false claim about his gender identity, prompting a harsh response from the Texas Democratic Party.

Overall, the controversy centers on accusations that Miller used appearance-based judgments to attack political opponents while presenting his views as a reflection of moral values.