Trump Names Stephen Miller White House Chief of Staff After Midterm Losses

President Donald Trump announced on November 6 that Stephen Miller would become White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles. The change takes effect Monday. Wiles, the first woman to hold the post, will move to the president's political operation.

Trump described Miller as one of his most trusted advisers in a Truth Social post. Miller, 41, has served as deputy chief of staff for policy and is widely identified as the main architect of the administration's immigration enforcement policies. He joined the Trump orbit as a speechwriter during the 2016 campaign and has remained a core member of the inner circle through both terms.

Wiles submitted her resignation on Thursday night, according to reporting by the Associated Press citing a person familiar with the events. In a statement, she said serving the president had been the honor of a lifetime and that her commitment would continue in the new role. Miller said he was honored by the appointment and described the mission as clear: supporting the president and defending the republic.

The staffing move came three days after the midterm elections in which Republicans lost majorities in both the House and Senate. Trump has expressed anger over the results. Elevating Miller, who has driven hard-line domestic policy, signals continuity or intensification of existing priorities even as the new Democratic Congress prepares oversight.

Miller has previously spoken for the administration on economic, foreign, and military matters. In early Signal chats that became public, he appeared to relay the president's positions. Trump, speaking to reporters under an umbrella before departing for Florida on Friday, called Miller politically skilled and a strong manager.

The White House chief of staff manages the president's schedule, coordinates policy across agencies, and controls access. With Democrats set to control committees starting in January, the role will involve more defensive work on investigations and legislative fights. Miller's appointment places a figure closely associated with immigration enforcement at the center of that operation.

Wiles had served since the start of the second term. Her departure removes a figure who operated more as a traditional gatekeeper. The new arrangement begins as the administration confronts the practical limits of divided government for the first time in Trump's second term.