Trump names Stephen Miller as new White House chief of staff

The appointment marks a major change inside the West Wing just days after Democrats secured control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the midterm elections. Trump announced the move in a social media post on Friday, calling Miller one of his most trusted advisors.

Susie Wiles Departs as Chief of Staff After Midterm Defeat

Susie Wiles, who served as Trump’s longest-serving chief of staff and managed his 2024 campaign, resigned on Thursday night. MS NOW reported that Wiles told Trump, “let me make this easy on you — I am going to resign.” Trump praised Wiles for doing an outstanding job, writing on social media that she would move over to the Trump Political Operation.

Wiles is the longest-serving chief of staff from across Trump’s terms in office, having cycled through four individuals in that role during his first four years. In an official statement following her departure, Wiles stated that serving the president in the White House was the honor of a lifetime. Administration officials reacted quickly to the announcement, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posting on X that patriots are in control, while Vice President JD Vance wrote that Miller will do great things.

Democratic Lawmakers Vow Aggressive Oversight and Investigations

The selection of Miller immediately drew sharp rebukes from congressional leaders preparing to take control of Capitol Hill in January. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Miller a dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist on X. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote that Trump learned nothing from his historic defeat, adding that Democratic majorities will fight the administration every step of the way.

Political analysts view the promotion as a signal of confrontation rather than compromise. David Axelrod, a veteran Democratic strategist, posted on X that the appointment is a bucket of ice cold water for anyone who hoped the president might pivot to work with the incoming Congress. Chris Whipple, author of The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency, told CNN that the move amounts to a declaration of war.

A Longtime Conservative Firebrand Takes the West Wing Gatekeeper Role

Miller is one of Trump’s closest and longest-serving advisers. The 41-year-old built a reputation as a conservative activist early in life, railing against liberal policies on local radio in Santa Monica and leading the Duke Conservative Union in college. He later worked as a legislative aide to Senator Jeff Sessions before joining Trump’s initial presidential campaign in January 2016.

During Trump’s first term, Miller served as a speechwriter and presidential adviser, shaping hardline immigration policies including the 2018 zero-tolerance border enforcement that led to family separations. In 2019, the Southern Poverty Law Center released emails allegedly showing Miller supporting white nationalist websites, prompting more than a hundred members of Congress to sign a letter demanding his removal. Miller returned to the White House in January 2025 as deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser, where he coordinated a mass deportation drive aimed at achieving thousands of daily arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Miller Takes over Chief of Staff Duties on Monday

Miller assumes his new responsibilities as chief of staff on Monday. The chief of staff position traditionally controls White House staff hiring, manages the executive calendar, and acts as the gatekeeper overseeing information flows to the president. It was not immediately clear how the formal promotion would alter Miller’s day-to-day policy influence compared to his previous portfolio.