President Donald Trump on Friday named deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles.1,2,4,5,8
Miller is set to start Monday, November 9, 2026, while Wiles will move to the Trump Political Operation, Trump said. The change came three days after Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress on Tuesday, leaving Trump to deal with Democratic majorities for the final two years of his term.1,4,5,8
Announcing the move on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "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." He added, "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!" Speaking to reporters, Trump said Wiles had "done a very good job," but "we've got to make moves sometimes," and said Miller "gets it, very good politically."1,4,5
Accounts differed on how Wiles left. The New York Post described the move as Trump firing Wiles after the midterm defeat. CBS News reported, citing a U.S. official, that Wiles gave her resignation to Trump on Thursday night, and citing three sources, that she quit because of the election losses. Axios reported, citing sources, that her departure was a mutual decision but driven by Tuesday's results, for which Trump blamed her, and that Trump did not ask for her resignation. One informed source who spoke with Wiles said, "but he couldn't get it out of his head that she was to blame, not him." The same person said, "Susie could've stuck around, but what's the point?" and "Whether it's right or wrong, Susie knows that serving the president means it's at his pleasure. And if she couldn't change the way he felt, there was no reason to stay." The Daily Wire reported, citing a White House official, that Wiles resigned Thursday evening and Trump announced it Friday afternoon before leaving the White House for Palm Beach.1,2,4,5
Wiles, 69, was described as among the most powerful figures in the administration and as Trump's longest-serving chief of staff. She was the first woman to hold the position. Her relationship with Trump stretched back to his 2016 campaign, when she led his efforts in Florida, and she later managed his political comeback after the Jan. 6 riot. Axios reported that she often served as the last person he consulted before major decisions. As recently as Oct. 16, Trump denied he was considering replacing her, saying there was "zero chance" and "Susie is here and she's gonna be here for a long time." She announced in September, six months after her diagnosis, that she was in remission after battling cancer.1,4,5
Miller, a longtime adviser who worked for Trump since the 2016 campaign, served as a senior adviser during Trump's first administration and as deputy chief of staff. He stayed with Trump after the 2020 election defeat and returned with him to power last year. He played a major role in driving the White House domestic policy agenda, particularly on immigration, and was described as an architect of the administration's early exertion of executive authority. Axios reported that he had been working on plans to keep operating a muscular White House even in the face of big Democratic majorities. A Trump adviser said, "Trump needs to prepare for war with the Democrats in Congress with all their investigations they're going to launch, and Stephen is a wartime adviser."1,4,5,8
Democrats criticized the choice. Rep. Robert Garcia, who would lead the House Oversight Committee after Democrats take control, said he would continue to investigate Miller and his "misconduct." Garcia said, "Stephen Miller is the architect of the unconstitutional ICE raids that have terrorized our communities and kidnapped and killed American citizens and immigrant families," referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Miller was "a dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist who has American blood on his hands." Jeffries said, "His presence in government should be eradicated like a malignant tumor."1
Trump allies praised both Wiles and Miller. Communications director Steven Cheung called Miller "someone who has been with the President since the very beginning." Cheung said, "There is no bigger advocate for the Trump agenda than Stephen, and he will help the Administration deliver on monumental victories for the rest of this historic second term." War Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X, "Patriots in control." Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wiles is "one of the kindest and toughest people I've ever met." Leavitt said, "She helped power the greatest political comeback in American history in 2024, and as the first woman to serve as White House Chief of Staff, she led the most productive start to a presidency in decades, even while battling breast cancer," and "I'm proud to call her my friend and former boss."1,5
Leavitt called Miller the "perfect choice" and said, "No one is more loyal, more hardworking, or more in touch with the America First movement than Stephen." A source close to the White House said, "He is a war time consigliere," and "and his hiring probably sends the best possible message to the base." Cheung also thanked Wiles for bringing him back into Trump World, saying, "I will always be indebted to Susie Wiles for bringing me back into Trump World during the in-between period," and "She didn't have to, but she did. Her kindness and grace, along with an unrelenting will to win for President Trump speaks to her unimpeachable character. Thank you, Susie!"5
Wiles was not the only official to leave after the midterms. Several Justice Department officials resigned, including John Eisenberg, head of the National Security Division, and Jason Reding Quiñones. It was not known whether Wiles's deputies would remain at the White House. The Daily Wire noted speculation in Washington that Wiles could be the first of more transitions after the elections.1,5
In her farewell statement, Wiles said, "Today is my last day as White House Chief of Staff," and "Serving President Trump in the White House has been the honor of a lifetime. I'm so proud to have been a part of what we've accomplished together from securing our border and cutting taxes to strengthening our economy and putting America First." She added, "More than anything," and "I'm grateful for the extraordinary people I've had the privilege of working alongside. While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will."1,4,5
Leavitt said, "I have complete confidence that he will make the final two years of the President's term a resounding success," and "Now is the time to fix what's not working and double down on all of the victories we've already achieved. What we cannot do is fall into despair and hand the country over to the Radical Democrats. Let's win."5
