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Trump names Stephen Miller White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles days after Republican midterm losses
President Trump said Friday that deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller will replace Susie Wiles, who will shift to political work. The move follows midterm elections in which Republicans lost control of Congress.
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What happened
President Donald Trump announced Friday that Stephen Miller will take over as White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles, according to NPR and the Associated Press as published by PBS NewsHour. NPR reported that Miller, now deputy chief of staff and an advisor to the Department of Homeland Security, will start in the new role on Monday.
The change comes days after Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections. CBS News reported that Wiles submitted her resignation on Thursday and that the move was tied to the GOP's midterm defeats. Trump told reporters he "wanted to make a change," CBS reported.
Who is Stephen Miller
An architect of immigration policy
NPR described Miller as the architect of many of Trump's most controversial policies, particularly on immigration, and the AP called him a key architect of the administration's hard-line immigration policies. NPR noted that data show voters this week backed Democrats partly because of Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement, and it described the appointment as a defiant note from the president. NPR also reported that Miller has advised on military operations in the Middle East.
A longtime member of the inner circle
According to the AP, Miller joined Trump's 2016 presidential campaign as a speechwriter and earlier worked as an aide to former Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., who later became Trump's first attorney general. "Stephen's been with me since the beginning. He gets it," Trump told reporters, NPR reported. NPR said Miller is likely to have even greater influence over the president's time and attention in the new job.
Wiles' tenure and next role
Record as chief of staff
Wiles was the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff, both NPR and the AP reported. NPR said she has served as chief of staff in this White House from day one. The AP said she is the longest-serving chief of staff for Trump, who went through four of them in his first term. NPR reported she built a reputation as a strict manager who reduced staff turnover and press leaks.
Statement and health
Trump said on Truth Social that Wiles will continue working for him on political operations. In a post on X, Wiles wrote, "While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will." The AP reported she went public with a breast cancer diagnosis in March 2026 and later indicated she no longer showed evidence of the disease.
Reaction and context
Democratic leaders respond
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who NPR said is widely expected to become the next House speaker, called Miller "a dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist who has American blood on his hands." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said "Donald Trump learned nothing from his historic defeat" and that Democratic majorities would fight Miller, according to NPR.
Why the job matters
David Cohen, a University of Akron political science professor who studies the role, told NPR the chief of staff is a "very important gatekeeper" of the president's time, information and visitors. Cohen said the job is meant to act as a neutral broker so all voices are heard.
Signals of more changes
Hours before the announcement, Trump told 60 Minutes he expected to fire some people after the election, saying he would be "doing maybe a few changes," CBS News reported. He said he has confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, though CBS reported Trump asked advisers this week whether Hegseth should stay. CBS noted that Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer left earlier this year. More coverage is on our Nation page.
What to watch next
- Miller is set to take over as chief of staff on Monday, according to NPR.
- Wiles is expected to continue working for Trump on political operations.
- Trump told 60 Minutes he may make "a few changes" to his team after the midterms, CBS News reported.
- Schumer said Democratic majorities will fight Miller, and NPR reported Jeffries is widely expected to become House speaker.
