Stephen Miller, the adviser behind Trump’s border crackdown, is taking over as White House chief of staff after Republicans lost Congress.
Story Highlights
- Trump announced the change on Friday, November 6; Miller starts Monday, November 9.
- Miller, the deputy chief of staff, replaces Susie Wiles, who officials say resigned.
- The move came days after Republicans lost both the House and Senate in the midterms.
- Trump said Wiles will move to his political operation.
- Two Republicans criticized the pick: Sen. Thom Tillis called it “a colossal mistake,” and Rep. Don Bacon said Miller “cost us many seats on Tuesday.”
What Changed And When
President Trump picked one of his longest-serving aides to run the White House. Miller had been deputy chief of staff and is best known as a key architect of the administration’s hardline immigration and deportation program. The chief of staff is the president’s top aide: he runs the West Wing staff, controls who gets time with the president and pushes his agenda through the government. Republicans lost control of Congress in the Tuesday, November 3, midterm elections, and the change came three days later.
In his announcement, Trump called Miller “one of my most trusted advisors.” He said Wiles “has done an outstanding job” and “will be moving over to the Trump Political Operation,” but did not say what she will do there. A U.S. official said Wiles handed Trump her resignation on Thursday night, November 5. Wiles wrote on X that Friday was her last day and called serving Trump “the honor of a lifetime.”
Why Miller, And What It Signals
Trump told reporters, “you have to make moves.” The White House said Miller has helped lead its work on border security, violent crime and fraud. Reports say Trump is elevating Miller as he prepares to face a newly empowered Democratic Congress next year. One report described Miller as a “loyal, combative bulldog” for the America First agenda.
Allies cheered the choice. White House communications director Steven Cheung called Miller “a Trump OG,” slang for an original, day-one loyalist. Former press secretary Karoline Leavitt called him the “perfect choice.” Miller called the job the “privilege of my lifetime,” thanked Wiles for her “years of devoted service,” and urged supporters to “Fight with all of our soul to support our President.”
Pushback From Both Parties
Not everyone in the GOP agreed. Outgoing Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina called the pick “a colossal mistake.” In reports published Saturday, November 7, Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska said Miller “greatly hurt the administration and cost us many seats on Tuesday.” White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis answered that Miller has been a key player in delivering Trump’s agenda and will keep delivering in his new role.
Democrats signaled a fight. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, who is in line to chair the House Oversight Committee, the panel that investigates the executive branch, said Democrats will keep investigating Miller and that he “should lawyer up.”
How This Fits Normal White House Turnover
Changing chiefs of staff is common. Since 1969, the people in the job have stayed about two years on average, a sign of how hard it is. Wiles, the first woman to hold the post, ran Trump’s 2024 campaign and served as chief of staff from his first day back in office.
What Comes Next
Miller takes over on Monday, November 9. Democrats take control of the House and Senate in January, and his job will be to drive Trump’s agenda through a Congress run by the other party. For voters who backed Trump on the border, crime and spending, political strategist Matt Klink put it simply: Trump “plans to fight, not fold.”
Sources:
townhall.com, whitehouse.gov, opb.org, abc7.com, politico.com