Senior White House trade adviser Peter Navarro lavished praise on President Donald Trump during a live Oval Office press conference, telling him directly, “Sir, you did a miracle when you came in! You shut that border down in a matter of days, to end a flood of millions of illegal aliens. A secure America is a safe America.”
The remarks quickly drew attention as a display of personal loyalty during an official White House event. Navarro, a longtime Trump adviser involved in trade and border policy, delivered the comments before a national audience without softening the language or presenting it as anything other than direct praise.
He then shifted to the executive order Trump was preparing to sign, explaining that it would target “tariff evaders” at the border and allow U.S. Customs Enforcement to crack down on illegal goods entering the country. Navarro estimated the measure would save $15 billion in its first year and as much as $100 billion over time.
“Plus we’ll stop the fentanyl coming in,” Navarro added. “This is a message to the world today when you sign this: there is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. This is what Donald Trump does. He secures our borders, not just physically, but in terms of trade.”
Navarro also described the new customs enforcement framework as “awesome.” Trump appeared pleased with the remarks, thanking Navarro and then pausing to thank him again.
The executive order
The executive order was aimed at “tariff evaders” and directed U.S. Customs Enforcement to intensify efforts against illegal goods being smuggled into the United States.
The measure fits within a broader push by the Trump administration to strengthen customs and trade enforcement. Between January 20 and December 15, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection collected more than $200 billion in tariffs, crediting more than 40 executive orders issued by the administration.
In March 2025 alone, CBP processed more than 3 million entry summaries valued at over $352 billion and identified nearly $15 billion in estimated duties. During the same month, the agency seized 760 pounds of fentanyl, a 24% increase from February, while combined seizures of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and marijuana rose 47% from the previous month.
Stephen Miller’s three-minute tribute in Memphis
White House adviser Stephen Miller also delivered an extended tribute to Trump, praising him for nearly three minutes during an event in Memphis.
Miller credited Trump’s “vision, courage and determination” for producing the “lowest national murder rate” and the “largest reduction in illegal immigration in American history,” among other accomplishments.
He also described Trump’s anti-crime efforts as a “national miracle” that would be studied for generations. “If we had an honest media in this country, the statistics I just gave you would be shared 24/7 on the news,” Miller told attendees.
Trump appeared delighted by the praise and immediately turned to FBI Director Kash Patel.
“Thank you, Stephen. So Kash, see if you can top that!” Trump quipped. “I don’t know, that’s a tough one, Kash.”
