Trump names Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff after midterm losses

US President Donald Trump has named his senior domestic policy adviser Stephen Miller as the new White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles after Republicans lost control of both houses of Congress in the midterm elections.

Miller, 41, who has served as deputy chief of staff and was a central architect of the administration's hardline immigration policies, will formally take over the post on Monday. Wiles, 69, submitted her resignation on Thursday evening and will transition to Trump's political operation.

Speaking to reporters as he departed for Florida on Friday, Trump acknowledged the shift while praising both officials. "I wanted to make a change," Trump said. "I think Susie's done a very good job... Stephen's been great, and we've got to make moves." He added that Miller "gets it" and is "very good politically".

Wiles, the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff, led Trump's successful 2024 presidential campaign before taking the West Wing's top staff role in January 2025. In a statement confirming her departure, she described serving in the post as "the honor of a lifetime" and said her commitment to the administration's mission remained unchanged.

The staffing shake-up comes amidst a broader political reckoning within the Republican Party following election night defeats across the country. In addition to Wiles's departure, several Justice Department officials have resigned, including National Security Division head John Eisenberg and Jason Reding Quiñones.

Congressional Democrats immediately condemned the appointment, viewing Miller's elevation as an indication that the administration intends to double down on its policy agenda rather than seek compromise with the incoming Democratic majorities. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, labelled Miller "a dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist", while Representative Robert Garcia promised that the House Oversight Committee would continue investigating Miller's involvement in federal immigration enforcement operations.