Trump Installs Stephen Miller as Chief of Staff After Midterm Losses
The appointment replaces Susie Wiles, who resigned three days after Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress.
By William Turner ·
President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Susie Wiles, the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff, will step down from the role effective Monday, November 9. Stephen Miller, 41, will assume the position. The leadership change occurs just three days after Republicans suffered a decisive defeat in the midterm elections, ceding control of both the House and Senate to the Democratic Party.
The decision represents a sharp reversal from Trump’s public stance earlier this month. On October 16, he told CNN there was a "zero chance" of a leadership change. He described reports of a potential swap as false and insisted that Wiles would remain in her position for an extended period. US officials told The Jerusalem Post that Wiles formally submitted her resignation on Thursday, the day before the announcement.
Miller has served as a key adviser to the president for nearly a decade. He currently holds the titles of deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser. His tenure has been defined by the administration’s aggressive immigration strategy, which includes mass deportations and stricter border enforcement. Officials indicate that his promotion signals the White House is preparing for a legislative confrontation with the incoming Democratic majority in Congress.
Wiles, 69, managed Trump’s successful 2024 presidential campaign. She was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year and underwent treatment, which she completed in September. She has remained in the president’s political orbit, with Trump stating she would transition to his political operation. In a post on X, Wiles expressed pride in what she and Trump accomplished together and noted her commitment to the mission continues despite the change in her role.
Reaction to the appointment has been swift within the administration’s base. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted the phrase "Patriots in control" on X to mark the occasion. The move is viewed by analysts as a consolidation of the president’s most uncompromising policy voice in the senior leadership role. This shift is expected to reduce the likelihood of bipartisan cooperation as the new Congress prepares to take office.
Miller is the grandson of Jewish refugees from Europe. His influence extends beyond immigration into national security and foreign policy. By placing him at the top of the White House staff structure, Trump is prioritizing the policy agenda that drove his 2024 campaign over the managerial approach associated with Wiles. The transition will be completed on Monday, marking the end of Wiles’s historic tenure in the role.
