A close advisor to President Donald Trump claimed that a 65-year-old activist in northern Virginia attempted to intimidate him and his wife by distributing pamphlets to their neighbors, leading state police to seize the woman’s phone, according to a report by The New York Times.
Stephen Miller, who served as White House deputy chief of staff, and his wife, Katie Miller, said they felt threatened by Barbara Wien, a liberal activist known for her outspoken criticism of Trump’s administration. In August, Virginia State Police confiscated Wien’s phone after obtaining a search warrant.
The warrant allowed investigators to examine whether Wien’s actions were intended to “threaten, intimidate, or incite the commission of a crime of violence” by revealing the couple’s home address, which could be considered a misdemeanor under state law.
According to the report, Wien distributed pamphlets in the Millers’ neighborhood denouncing Trump-era policies. The pamphlets featured Miller’s photo, labeled him “wanted for crimes against humanity,” and carried the slogan “No Nazis in NOVA.” The materials were meant to alert residents to Miller’s role in shaping the administration’s immigration and social policies, which many activists have called discriminatory.
Tensions reportedly escalated when Wien approached a nearby home and pointed her finger toward Katie Miller, who was standing across the street. Katie Miller interpreted the gesture as a warning, later telling police that it seemed to mean, “I am watching you.”
Legal proceedings are ongoing as lawyers debate how far the search of Wien’s phone can go. A local judge has temporarily halted the examination of her device while the court determines whether the investigation violates her rights. It remains uncertain when the phone will be returned.
Civil liberties advocates have expressed concern about the implications of the case, warning that seizing an activist’s phone could discourage political dissent. Supporters of the Millers argue that releasing personal information crosses a legal line and puts families at risk.
The dispute highlights growing tensions between public officials and political activists in the aftermath of the Trump administration. What began as a neighborhood protest has turned into a legal test of where activism ends and intimidation begins. As of now, no charges have been filed against Wien, and both sides await the court’s next decision on whether police can continue examining her phone.