Trump Replaces Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller After Midterm Defeats
Donald Trump appoints Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff starting November 9 following Republican losses in the House and Senate midterm elections.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — Donald Trump has announced that Stephen Miller will succeed Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff following midterm elections that saw Republicans lose control of the House and Senate.
Miller, known for designing the president’s restrictive immigration platform, is set to take over the role on November 9. Using Truth Social on Friday, the president expressed he was “pleased to announce” the appointment and described Miller as one of his most trusted advisers.
While departing for the weekend in Florida, Trump explained the personnel shift was driven by a desire for change. He acknowledged that Wiles performed her duties well, but noted that sometimes in life, you have to make moves.
The president characterized Miller as a “great manager” and indicated the new staffer would oversee day-to-day policy operations. In a statement on X, Wiles noted that Friday was her final day, calling her time in office the “honor of a lifetime” and expressing pride in achievements such as border security, tax cuts, and economic strength.
The 41-year-old California native has spent the last two years executing the administration’s deportation efforts and seeking policies to limit immigration from non-white countries. He has also advocated for using federal resources to penalize Democratic-led jurisdictions by withholding funding.
Since returning to power in 2025, Miller has argued for an expansive view of executive authority with little room for a Congress expected under Democratic control starting January 3. He also supported controversial foreign policy, including the proposal to take Greenland by force, which he claimed in January would face no international opposition.
Miller’s influence has faced pushback from some Republicans. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis labeled him a significant problem who should be removed, criticizing him as the creator of irrational proposals and stating he is out of his depth.
The transition to Miller suggests the administration’s agenda may become more aggressive during the lame duck period. Following the 2025 death of activist Kirk, Miller urged Vice President JD Vance to utilize the Department of Justice and Homeland Security to dismantle networks he blamed for the event.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
