Trump names Stephen Miller chief of staff after Republican defeat in the elections

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Stephen Miller, until now deputy chief of staff and one of his closest advisers, will become White House chief of staff starting Monday, November 9, replacing Susie Wiles, USA Today and CNN reported.

"I am pleased to announce that Mr. Stephen Miller, the current Deputy Chief of Staff of the Trump Administration, and one of my most trusted advisors, will become the Chief of Staff starting Monday, November 9, 2026," Trump wrote on his Truth Social network. The president thanked Wiles for her work and said she will move to the president's political operation. Wiles confirmed that Friday was her last day in the job.

The change comes three days after Republicans suffered a heavy defeat in Tuesday's midterm elections, in which Democrats regained the House of Representatives and are also on track to win the Senate. According to U.S. media, Wiles had submitted her resignation to Trump on Thursday night.

Miller, 41, is the architect of Trump's hardline immigration policy since his first presidential campaign in 2016, and helped design measures such as family separation at the border and the push to expand deportations. As deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser, his influence extended to nearly every level of White House decision-making.

The appointment was rejected by Latino organizations and Democratic lawmakers. Voto Latino demanded Miller's immediate removal and held him responsible for driving the administration's most restrictive immigration agenda, while Democratic Senator Alex Padilla of California warned that Democrats will use oversight and subpoenas from the new Congress to hold the administration accountable.

Analysts cited by CNN read the appointment as a sign that Trump is doubling down on his agenda rather than moderating it after the electoral setback, and warn that Miller's elevation could complicate hopes of negotiating broad immigration legislation with Democrats.

Photo: AP

Source: USA Today