President Donald Trump has named Stephen Miller, the architect of his hardline immigration policy, as his new chief of staff following historic losses in the US midterm elections.
Miller replaces Susie Wiles, whose resignation came after Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress, a blow to the prospects for Trump’s agenda in his final two years in the White House.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said Wiles had “done a very good job”, but “we’ve got to make moves sometimes”. Miller, a Trump loyalist and deputy chief of staff who served as a senior adviser during his first administration, takes on the new role on Monday.
Stephen Miller chief of staff: a loyalist rewarded
One of Trump’s closest aides, Miller, 41, stuck by the president after his 2020 election defeat and followed him back into power last year.
Writing on X on Friday, Miller called Trump “the most transformative political leader in American History” who has “single-handedly saved America from those who would destroy it”. He thanked Wiles, widely seen as one of the most powerful figures in the administration and particularly close to the president, for her years of devoted service and friendship.
“The mission now is more clear than ever: Fight with all of our soul to support our President and defend this magnificent Republic,” Miller said.
Asked why he elevated Miller, Trump said: “Stephen’s been with me from the beginning. He gets it, very good politically … and he’s a very good manager. He’ll do a great job.”
Susie Wiles resignation follows Trump midterm defeat
The Susie Wiles resignation came days after Democrats won both the US Senate and the House of Representatives, taking control of Congress for the rest of Trump’s presidency.
She submitted her resignation on Thursday night, a US official told CBS News, the BBC’s US partner. Three sources told CBS it was tied to the midterm losses. Trump said Wiles would move to the “Trump Political Operation”, though it was unclear whether her deputies would remain at the White House.
Wiles wrote on X that being on Trump’s team had been “the honour of a lifetime”. “While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will,” she said.
Last month, Trump had said there was “zero chance” Wiles would be replaced soon, adding: “Susie is here and she’s gonna be here for a long time.”
Wiles, 69, announced in September that she was in remission from cancer. Sources familiar with her thinking told CBS she had planned to stay until the end of the year or early next year, but the president accelerated her departure.
Justice Department exits deepen the post-midterm shake-up
Wiles is not the only official leaving after the Trump midterm defeat. Several Justice Department officials who carried out some of Trump’s top priorities have also resigned.
– Harmeet Dhillon, chief of the civil rights division, stepped down on Thursday. The division focused on non-citizen voting and eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. She also prioritised gun owners’ rights and adopted legal positions opposing civil rights protections for transgender people.
– John Eisenberg, head of the National Security Division, who also worked in Trump’s first administration, stepped down.
– Jason Reding Quiñones, a US attorney in Florida, also left. He was at the centre of Trump’s efforts to use the Justice Department to prosecute perceived political foes.
Democrats condemn Miller’s appointment as chief of staff
Democrats took to social media to criticise the move, accusing the president of doubling down despite voters’ anger with his party’s agenda.
Congressman Robert Garcia, who will lead the House Oversight Committee when Democrats take control of the chamber, said he would continue to investigate Miller and his “misconduct”. Stephen Miller is the architect of the unconstitutional ICE raids that have terrorized our communities and kidnapped and killed American citizens and immigrant families,” he said, referring to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Miller “a dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist who has American blood on his hands”. “His presence in government should be eradicated like a malignant tumour,” he said.
White House communications director Steven Cheung praised the appointment: “There is no bigger advocate for the Trump agenda than Stephen, and he will help the Administration deliver on monumental victories for the rest of this historic second term.
Who is Stephen Miller? Profile of Trump’s new chief of staff
Miller comes from an Ashkenazi Jewish family in Santa Monica, California. In high school, he developed a taste for politics and voiced controversial opinions. After attending Duke University in North Carolina, he became an aide in 2009 to ultra-conservative Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, the first senator to endorse Trump.
During this time, Miller developed his hardline immigration views and worked to kill a bipartisan immigration reform bill. He joined Trump’s presidential campaign in January 2016 and has been loyal since.
He spearheaded Trump’s use of executive orders and staunchly defended the administration’s use of executive power. He championed “zero-tolerance” family separations, drove the policies behind the travel bans of Trump’s first term, advocated third-country deportations and urged immigration officials to make up to 300 arrests a day.
A staunch supporter of Israel, Miller has also been hawkish on the joint US and Israeli military action in Iran.
