President Donald Trump announced Friday that Stephen Miller will replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff beginning Monday. The leadership change comes three days after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections, reshaping the political environment for the remainder of his presidency.
Trump described Miller, currently deputy chief of staff, as a trusted adviser and said Wiles would move to his political operation. Speaking to reporters, he praised her performance but said he wanted a change. Miller thanked Trump and pledged to continue supporting the president and advancing the administration’s priorities.
According to MS NOW, citing a senior White House source, Wiles resigned Thursday night after Trump expressed anger over Republican election losses. Wiles confirmed Friday was her final day as chief of staff and said her commitment to Trump would continue despite the change in her role.
Miller, a central figure in the administration’s immigration and deportation policies, received public support from Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Democratic congressional leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer criticized the appointment, citing Miller’s policy record. Incoming Democratic majorities have pledged investigations into the government’s immigration practices.
Former Obama adviser David Axelrod said the selection suggested continued confrontation rather than cooperation with Congress. The announcement also followed several senior Justice Department departures after Election Day, including officials responsible for civil rights, national security and investigations involving Trump’s political opponents.
Wiles managed Trump’s successful 2024 presidential campaign and became an influential figure in his second administration, generally maintaining a low public profile. She attracted attention following a Vanity Fair report about her characterizations of Trump’s personality and approach to governing. Trump and other administration officials defended her at the time. Her departure marks another significant personnel change following the Republican Party’s electoral losses.