Trump names Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff
The longtime immigration adviser replaces Susie Wiles, drawing sharp criticism from some Republicans who link his tenure to recent midterm defeats.
By Fernando Rojas ·
President Trump announced on Friday that Stephen Miller will serve as the next White House chief of staff.
Miller replaces Susie Wiles, who has held the position since the president returned to office. The announcement marks a major shift in the administration's leadership structure and signals a tighter focus on policy execution under Miller's direction.
Miller has worked with Trump since the 2015 campaign, serving in various capacities including deputy chief of staff for policy. Before joining the White House, he built a reputation as a press aide for Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, helping to shape the senator's combative stance on immigration. Miller is known for his deep knowledge of congressional operations and his role in architecting the administration's mass deportation efforts. During his time as a policy adviser, he pushed to suspend habeas corpus rights for detainees and increase daily immigration arrest goals to 3,000. He also supported the family separation policy during Trump's first term and recently described two American citizens killed during a federal immigration blitz in Minneapolis as domestic terrorists.
The promotion has triggered immediate backlash from members of both parties. Democrats view Miller as a hardliner who intensified the administration's aggressive immigration tactics. Some Republicans, however, question the timing and the strategic fit. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina told CNN that the decision is a colossal mistake, particularly given the party's recent losses. Tillis argued that voters sent a clear message during the midterms and that Miller's approach is the opposite of what the public demanded. He urged the president to rethink the choice, stating that the last thing needed 72 hours after a heavy defeat was a shakeup that leans further into Miller's policy preferences.
Former administration officials have also expressed concern. Sarah Matthews, a former deputy White House press secretary, described the move as terrifying. Another former official noted that Wiles often served as a check on Miller's influence, and her departure removes that internal balance. A former chief of staff suggested that choosing Miller might make it harder for the president to build a working relationship with the new Democratic majority in Congress.
Miller will assume the second most powerful role in the White House, managing day-to-day operations and overseeing the staff. The position does not require Senate confirmation. His wife, Katie Miller, has also become a prominent figure in Republican circles, hosting a podcast aimed at conservative women and previously serving in communications roles for the vice presidency and the Department of Government Efficiency. Miller remains one of the few original aides from Trump's first term to hold a high-level post in the current administration.
Miller took the role immediately following the announcement. He will now manage the flow of information and policy decisions entering the Oval Office, a position that has historically involved close coordination with the president on all major legislative and executive actions.
