Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Nov 7: US President Donald Trump has appointed his close aide and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller as the next White House Chief of Staff, replacing Susie Wiles in a major shake-up of his administration following the Republican Party's crushing defeat in the midterm elections.
Trump announced the decision on Friday through a post on his social media platform Truth Social, saying Miller would assume the position from Monday, November 9, 2026. Wiles will move to the Trump Political Operation, where she is expected to continue working with the president.
"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. 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," Trump said.
Speaking to reporters before departing the White House for Florida on Friday, Trump praised Miller, describing him as a trusted aide who had been with him since the beginning of his political career.
"Stephen has been with me from the beginning. He gets it; very good politically," Trump said, adding that Miller would be a "great manager".
Trump, however, denied that the decision was linked to the Republican Party's poor performance in the midterm elections. "Not because of the election. It's just time," he said, adding that he himself had not been on the ballot.
Wiles also announced her departure in a statement, describing her tenure as White House Chief of Staff as the honour of a lifetime. She said she was proud to have contributed to the administration's efforts on border security, tax cuts, strengthening the economy and advancing the America First agenda.
"While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will," she said.
Wiles made history as the first woman to serve as White House Chief of Staff and became one of Trump's most influential advisers after managing his successful 2024 presidential campaign. She was also the longest-serving Chief of Staff during Trump's presidency. In contrast, Trump went through four individuals in the position during his first term.
Miller, 41, is among Trump's closest and longest-serving political advisers. He joined the president's team during the 2016 election campaign as a speechwriter and later became one of the principal architects of Trump's immigration policies. He currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff and homeland security adviser, with considerable influence over domestic policy.
Before joining Trump's political team, Miller worked for former Republican senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, who later became Trump's first attorney general.
Miller has been closely associated with the administration's hardline immigration and deportation policies, which have attracted criticism from opposition leaders and civil rights groups. His role came under further scrutiny following the January shooting deaths of two protesters by immigration agents.
His elevation to the top White House position comes at a politically difficult time for Trump, whose Republican Party suffered significant losses in the midterm elections. The appointment is being viewed as a signal that the president intends to continue pursuing his existing policy agenda rather than make a major shift towards moderation.
The change has also fuelled speculation about further changes within the administration. Reports have suggested that Trump could consider replacing Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also been linked to possible political ambitions ahead of the 2028 presidential election. However, the State Department rejected reports about Rubio's possible departure, describing them as "completely baseless fake news".
US Vice-President JD Vance congratulated Miller on his appointment and thanked Wiles for her service.
"Very grateful to Susie for her friendship and service to the president and our country. Stephen Miller is an amazing patriot and will do great things. Congrats to him on a well-deserved promotion," Vance wrote on X.
Miller's appointment places one of Trump's most loyal and hardline advisers at the centre of White House operations as the administration prepares to face a politically strengthened Democratic opposition.