US President Names Stephen Miller as New White House Chief of Staff Following Midterm Losses

US President Donald Trump has appointed longtime adviser and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as his new White House chief of staff. The announcement on Friday comes days after the Republican Party lost control of both the House and Senate in the US midterm elections. Miller, 41, will take over the role on Monday, replacing Susie Wiles, who served as the first female chief of staff. Trump confirmed the leadership change in a social media post, stating he wanted to make a move and praising Wiles for doing an outstanding job.

Wiles reportedly submitted her resignation on Thursday night and will transition to the Trump Political Operation. Trump told reporters outside the White House on Friday that Miller has been with him from the beginning and understands the administration's goals. Miller expressed his reaction on X, writing that he was honored beyond words and that the mission was to fight to support the president and defend the republic.

As white house chief of staff, Miller will step into one of the most powerful positions in Washington, serving as the presidential gatekeeper, agenda-setter, and chief negotiator with Congress. Miller has previously served as deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser, acting as a central figure behind the administration's aggressive immigration enforcement and mass deportation programs. His career alongside Trump began during the 2016 presidential campaign, where he worked as a strategist and speechmaker, and he remained in the administration through both presidential terms.

Wiles had co-managed Trump's 2024 re-election campaign and earned a reputation as a steady professional who largely avoided the public staffing disruptions that characterized Trump's first term. However, reports indicated that Trump had grown frustrated in recent months amid declining political standing and reports regarding consulting connections within Wiles' orbit, culminating in the electoral setbacks in Tuesday's midterm elections.

Democratic leaders sharply criticized the appointment of Miller following the announcement. Hakeem Jeffries characterized Miller with severe condemnation on social media, while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer stated that the choice demonstrated that the president had learned nothing from the election defeat. Schumer vowed that Democratic congressional majorities would oppose the new chief of staff throughout every step of the legislative process.