Trump Names Stephen Miller White House Chief of Staff as Susie Wiles Steps Down

Breaking

President Donald Trump has named Stephen Miller as his new White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles three days after Republicans lost control of Congress in the midterm elections. Trump called Miller one of his “most trusted advisors” in announcing the move Friday, and Miller will officially take over the job on Monday, according to Fox News.

Wiles confirmed the change moments after Trump’s announcement. “Today is my last day as White House Chief of Staff,” she said in a statement. Trump said Wiles will move to his political operation and thanked her publicly, writing, “I want to thank her for her service as Chief of Staff — She has done a great job!” A White House official told Fox News Digital the decision was “very amicable” and that Wiles handed in her resignation Thursday night.

Details & Background

Miller has served as White House deputy chief of staff for policy and has been the driving force behind the administration’s immigration agenda. An administration official praised the choice to Fox News Digital, saying, “A great pick. He has the trust of millions of Americans who understand that reversing mass migration is the crisis of our time.” Miller has been with Trump since his first presidential campaign and is one of the longest-serving members of his inner circle.

Wiles leaves after 21 months on the job, making her the longest-serving chief of staff across both of Trump’s terms, according to Fox News. Trump went through four chiefs of staff in his first term, with John Kelly lasting the longest at about 17 months. Wiles, who made history as the first woman to hold the post, ran the 2024 campaign that returned Trump to the White House. Her exit follows public calls for her resignation, including from former Trump staffer Caroline Sunshine, who said on Fox News this week that Wiles’ campaign skills had not translated into governing.

Reactions

Top administration officials quickly praised the move. Vice President JD Vance wrote, “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.” White House communications director Steven Cheung called Miller “a Trump OG” and added, “There is no bigger advocate for the Trump agenda than Stephen.” Wiles said in her statement that serving Trump “has been the honor of a lifetime” and that “my commitment to the President and the mission never will” change.

Not every Republican welcomed the decision. Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Indiana told Fox News Digital it was a “Horrible decision,” and another GOP lawmaker who spoke anonymously said they were in “utter disbelief.” Several House Republicans had argued before the announcement that Miller should be fired over immigration policies they believe hurt the party at the polls. Trump, speaking to reporters before boarding Marine One, said of Wiles, “I think [she’s] done a very good job. Great job.”

Why This Matters to You

The chief of staff controls the flow of information to the president, manages the White House staff and helps decide which fights the administration picks. By choosing Miller, Trump is signaling that he has no plans to soften his immigration agenda, even after a midterm defeat and with Democrats preparing to use their new majorities to investigate the administration. Border security, deportations and enforcement policy are likely to stay at the center of the White House’s priorities.

The move also sets up a sharper clash with the incoming Democratic Congress and exposes divisions within the Republican Party over what went wrong on Tuesday. For voters, the next two years will test whether a more combative White House can still deliver results on the border, the economy and national security while facing subpoenas, hearings and vetoes. Monday’s handoff marks the start of that new chapter, and its outcome will shape the party heading into 2028.