12-05-2025
'Monty Python' Star Sparks MAGA Anger With Stephen Miller Tweet
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Monty Python actor John Cleese has sparked backlash from MAGA supporters with a now-deleted post on X about Stephen Miller, the homeland security advisor and White House Deputy Chief of Staff, in which he said that Miller should be suspended, "preferably by the neck."
Newsweek has reached out to a representative for Cleese for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The 85-year-old comedian is known for his outspoken political views and is no stranger to backlash for them. In late 2023, he sparked a heated debate on social media after he compared Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler, something he later apologized for.
Cleese describes himself as an "old-fashioned liberal," despite taking on a role at the conservative-leaning GB Network in the U.K.
John Cleese speaks at a session during the 2024 Dragon Con at Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia, August 31, 2024.
John Cleese speaks at a session during the 2024 Dragon Con at Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia, August 31, To Know
On Friday, Miller said that the Trump administration is "actively looking" at ways to expand its legal power to deport undocumented migrants, including suspending haves corpus, the constitutional right for people to legally challenge their detention by the government.
Habeas corpus translates roughly from Latin to mean "you should have the body," as in, a person should be able to appear before a court to have due process from a judge to assess if that person has been lawfully detained.
Article One of the U.S. Constitution states that the "Privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it."
In a now deleted post on X, formerly Twitter, Cleese wrote: "I see Stephen Miller says he is actively thinking about suspending 'habeas corpus.'"
The post continued: "As this has been the keystone of the Rule of Law for centuries, I'd like to suggest that we actively think about suspending Stephen Miller... Preferably by the neck."
Though he has deleted the post, it was screenshotted and has been shared by multiple accounts in posts that have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times.
What People Are Saying
Jack Posobiec, an author on X: "Hi @JohnCleese! Why did you delete this?"
@richarddibX on X: "The Internet never forgets @JohnCleese and he posted this to his 5.3 million followers to read."
@_Aaron_Newborn on X: "John Cleese issued a desire for murder against a sitting US cabinet member to his 5.3 million followers and 9,300 individuals liked it before he deleted it!!!! Democrats are not well!"
What's Next
Miller said that suspending habeas copus is "one option" the Trump administration is looking at, but added that "a lot of it depends on whether the courts do the right thing or not."
It has been suspended in the past, most notably by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
