Stephen Miller’s power grows at White House -- despite Trump gatekeeper Kelly's attempts to shut him out: report

In a deep dive into the inner workings and petty rivalries in President Donald Trump's White House, Politico reveals that Steve Bannon holdover Stephen Miller has moved up the power food chain at the same time that new Chief of Staff John Kelly has tried to limit his access to the president.

According to the report, Trump appreciates staffers who mirror his bombast as long as they make sure that the limelight - in public appearances -- shines on him. Above all, Trump values staffers who lavishly praise him in the media and offer unwavering loyalty.

In the case of Miller, who was closely associated with Attorney General Jeff Sessions when he came to the White House, he has “risen to a status that's beyond Sessions,” by siding with the president who has been publicly critical of the Attorney General beginning with Sessions' decision to remove himself from the Russia investigation.

According to the report, Miller's ascension has not pleased Kelly who has taken a firmer hand over the president following the dismissal of his predecessor, Reince Priebus.

The report notes that Kelly is attempting to sideline Miller, who other White House aides have blamed for feeding Trump inflammatory stories from Breitbart News, causing the president to lose focus and go off on tangents.

Kelly recently blocked longtime Trump confidante Omarosa Manigualt from speaking with the president because she was getting him worked up over bad news.