Trump Names Stephen Miller Chief of Staff
Donald Trump has named Stephen Miller chief of staff, promoting the architect of his hardline immigration policy to the top job in the White House after the Republicans lost control of Congress in this week’s midterm elections.
Trump announced the move on Friday in a post on Truth Social. Miller, 41, will take over on Monday, November 9, 2026. He replaces Susie Wiles, 69, who will move to Trump’s political operation.
“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.
“Susie Wiles, who has done an outstanding job, will be moving over to the Trump Political Operation. I want to thank her for her service as Chief of Staff — She has done a great job!”
Wiles submitted her resignation on Thursday night, a White House official said. Friday was her last day in the job. In a statement on X, she called serving Trump in the White House “the honor of a lifetime” and spoke of her pride in the administration’s record. She recently announced she had been given the all-clear from breast cancer.
What the Stephen Miller chief of staff appointment means
The chief of staff is the most powerful staff post in any White House, controlling access to the president and managing the flow of decisions. Miller’s promotion therefore matters well beyond a change of personnel.
Miller has worked for Trump since his first presidential campaign in 2015. He served as a senior adviser in the first term from 2017 to 2021, then returned in January 2025 as deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser. Between the two terms he co-founded America First Legal, a conservative legal group.
He is best known for driving Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown, including a target of 3,000 arrests a day. His promotion puts the author of that policy in charge of steering Trump’s whole agenda.
The timing is no accident. Democrats expanded their House majority to 253 seats in the midterms and also took the Senate, leaving Trump to face a Democratic-led Congress and an expected wave of investigations. Democrats are already planning a flood of bills for the new Congress, and Elizabeth Warren is set to chair the Senate Banking Committee. The Pentagon has already been defending the Iran war as an impeachment threat looms.
White House officials told Reuters that Miller’s selection signals Trump will take an aggressive approach to domestic policy and politics. “He’s rewarding those most loyal to him. He’s not changing course,” one official said.
Wiles leaves after a turbulent week
Wiles had held the post since the first day of Trump’s second presidency and was widely seen as a steadying hand. But Trump had grown unhappy with his political and communications operations before Tuesday’s election, as his approval ratings fell near record lows.
This week he said the White House needed to be “more aggressive” as Democrats retake power, according to a person briefed on the matter. Wiles’ allies began sharing concerns on Wednesday about her possible replacement.
It is the biggest shake-up at the top of the administration since Trump returned.
A reversal of Trump’s October denial
The change is a sharp reversal. On October 16, Trump denied reports of a leadership change. “There is zero chance,” he told CNN, calling the reports false and insisting Wiles would remain in her post for a long time.
Three weeks later, he did exactly what he denied.
Trump has also pressed ahead with other parts of his agenda, including his push on super-intelligence, in which he said he was “100% in favour” of the technology.
Miller takes over on Monday, and the transition will be watched closely.
When does Stephen Miller become chief of staff?
Miller takes over on Monday, November 9, 2026. Trump announced the promotion on Friday, November 6, on Truth Social.
Who was the chief of staff before Stephen Miller?
Susie Wiles held the post from January 2025 until November 6, 2026. She moves to Trump’s political operation.
Why did Trump replace Susie Wiles?
Trump gave no reason. The change followed the Republicans’ midterm defeat. Officials said it signals a more aggressive approach.
What is Stephen Miller known for?
Miller, 41, is the architect of Trump’s hardline immigration policy, including a target of 3,000 arrests a day. He has worked for Trump since the 2015 campaign and served as deputy chief of staff for policy since January 2025.
