Trump announced the appointment on Friday, naming Miller, a key architect of his hardline domestic policies, to replace Susie Wiles. The leadership change comes after Republicans suffered a major setback in Tuesday’s midterm elections, losing control of Congress.
Miller will assume the position on Monday, according to Trump’s announcement on social media.
Miller Takes Powerful Role
Trump described Miller as one of his most trusted advisers and praised Wiles for doing an outstanding job during her tenure.
Miller, a longtime supporter of expansive presidential authority, takes over as Trump faces a Democratic-led House of Representatives and Senate. The change comes at a critical moment, with congressional investigations expected to put additional pressure on the administration.
A White House official said the appointment demonstrated that Trump had no intention of changing his policy direction despite the Republican election defeat.
“He’s not changing course,” the official said, adding that the president was rewarding one of his most loyal aides.
Although Trump recently expressed willingness to work with Democrats, Miller’s promotion could indicate a more confrontational approach, particularly on immigration and other major domestic issues.
Trump had reportedly become dissatisfied with the White House’s political and communications operations ahead of the elections. After the Republican losses, he also indicated that his administration needed to become more aggressive.
Following his appointment, Miller wrote on X that the mission was clearer than ever and pledged to fight in support of the president and the United States.
Incoming Democratic House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries criticised the decision, describing Miller as a “reckless extremist”.
Driving Immigration Crackdown
Miller, 41, has been among Trump’s closest advisers for years and served in both of his presidential administrations.
Since Trump’s return to the White House in 2025, Miller has officially worked as deputy chief of staff under Wiles. However, he has exercised considerable influence over the administration’s domestic policies.
He is particularly associated with Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown, including a target of 3,000 arrests per day.
The campaign led to increased immigration enforcement operations across the country, with masked federal officers arresting people in communities nationwide. The crackdown also involved individuals with no criminal records, including some who had lived in the United States for decades.
However, the policy has faced considerable public opposition. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted earlier this week found that 36% of respondents approved of the immigration crackdown, while 54% disapproved.
Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said his party intended to investigate Miller’s immigration policies.
“Stephen Miller should lawyer up,” Garcia said.
Miller also played a significant role in Trump’s efforts to restructure the federal government, which resulted in tens of thousands of civil servants losing their jobs in 2025. He was also involved in the administration’s disputes with universities, diversity programmes and other institutions.
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Hawkish Foreign Policy
Miller has also supported Trump’s aggressive foreign policy decisions, including military strikes against boats suspected of carrying drugs in the Caribbean and Pacific.
The campaign has raised legal questions over the administration’s use of military force.
He has additionally praised US and Israeli strikes against Iran and defended measures such as naval blockades and sanctions aimed at weakening Tehran and limiting its ability to threaten neighbouring countries.
However, it remains unclear whether Miller continues to support the same approach following the Republican election setback, which came partly amid economic fallout from the Iran war.
Marc Short, who served as chief of staff to former Vice President Mike Pence during Trump’s first administration, said the appointment meant the president was choosing someone personally loyal to him and willing to confront Congress over immigration and investigations.
Short said the decision did not suggest that the administration expected to pursue much bipartisan legislation.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also welcomed Miller’s promotion, posting the words “Patriots in control” on social media. Hegseth himself has faced Democratic calls for impeachment over the Iran war.
Wiles Moves to Political Role
The White House chief of staff is one of the most influential positions in the administration. The officeholder manages White House staff, coordinates the president’s schedule and serves as a key link between the president, government departments and lawmakers.
Wiles, 69, submitted her resignation on Thursday night and will move to Trump’s political operation, according to a White House official.
A veteran political strategist from Florida, Wiles became the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff. She brought decades of political experience to the position and was widely regarded as having introduced greater discipline to Trump’s often unpredictable administration.
She maintained her position even while receiving treatment earlier this year for early-stage breast cancer.
Although Wiles rarely challenged Trump’s policies, she was considered a stabilising influence within the White House. Her departure has raised questions about who will provide similar oversight and balance in the administration.
During his first presidential term, from 2017 to 2021, Trump went through four chiefs of staff, an unusually high turnover that reflected the difficulties of managing his unpredictable leadership style.
Miller’s appointment now places one of Trump’s most loyal and uncompromising allies in a central position as the president prepares for an increasingly challenging relationship with Congress.
