Stephen Miller Takes Over as White House Chief of Staff
The shift follows the Republican loss in the midterm elections and replaces Susie Wiles, who served in the role since the start of the second term.
By Samuel Hayes ·
President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Stephen Miller will assume the role of White House chief of staff. The decision follows the Republican Party's defeat in the midterm elections held earlier this week. Miller currently serves as deputy chief of staff and an advisor to the Department of Homeland Security. He is scheduled to begin his new duties on Monday.
Susie Wiles has held the chief of staff position since the start of this administration. She previously worked on the 2020 Trump campaign in Florida. During her tenure, she established a reputation for strict management, which reduced staff turnover and press leaks compared to the first term. Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that Wiles will remain in the White House to focus on political operations. In a statement on X, Wiles said, "While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will."
Miller has advised Trump on immigration policy since the 2016 campaign. He also played a role in advising military operations in the Middle East. Political science professor David Cohen from the University of Akron noted that the chief of staff acts as a gatekeeper for the president's time and information. Cohen explained, "Oftentimes, though, the chief of staff is the last person talking to the president." Miller is known for his aggressive stance on immigration enforcement, a policy area that contributed to the Democratic gains in the recent elections.
Wiles was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier in the year but was declared cancer free this fall. In a 2025 profile for Vanity Fair, she described Trump as having "an alcoholic's personality" and said, "I make a speciality of it" when dealing with such temperaments. Miller has frequently stood behind the president during Oval Office media events. He has defended controversial administration actions, including strict anti-immigration crackdowns, without apology.
Trump told reporters on Friday afternoon, "Stephen's been with me since the beginning. He gets it." The president framed the move as a continuation of the administration's agenda despite the electoral losses. Miller will now have direct control over the schedule and access to the president, a position that historically carries substantial influence over executive decision-making.
The White House transition is set to proceed over the weekend. Miller will officially take the keys to the chief of staff office on Monday. Wiles will continue her work in political operations, maintaining her focus on the administration's legislative and electoral strategy for the remainder of the term.
