President Donald Trump has named Stephen Miller as his new White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles just days after Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections.

Trump announced the change on social media on Friday, Nov. 6. Miller, currently the deputy chief of staff for policy, takes over the role on Monday, while Wiles moves to Trump's political operation, ABC News reported.

Trump Praises Wiles on Her Way Out

"I want to thank her for her service as Chief of Staff. She has done a great job!" Trump wrote, according to Fox News. He told reporters he "wanted to make a change" but said Wiles had done a "very good job."

A White House official said Wiles handed in her resignation Thursday night and described the decision as "very amicable." However, ABC News, citing sources, reported that Trump had privately blamed Wiles for the midterm losses.

Just last month, Trump had said, "Susie is here, and she's going to be here for a long time."

Wiles Says Goodbye

"Today is my last day as White House Chief of Staff," Wiles said in a statement. "Serving President Trump in the White House has been the honor of a lifetime."

"While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will," she added.

Wiles served 21 months, the longest tenure of any of Trump's chiefs of staff across both of his terms. She was the first person Trump named to his staff after winning the 2024 election and the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff. Before that, she managed his 2024 campaign and was known for running a tight ship and staying out of the spotlight.

Her exit follows other post-election departures, including former civil rights chief Harmeet Dhillon, who said Wiles had asked her to delay her resignation until after the midterms.

Who Is Stephen Miller?

Miller, 41, is a longtime Trump adviser known as an immigration hard-liner. During Trump's first term, he served as a senior adviser and speechwriter and helped craft immigration policies, including those tied to family separations at the border.

After leaving the White House in 2021, Miller led the group America First Legal and later joined Trump's 2024 campaign as a senior adviser. In the second term, he became deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser.

Miller said he was "honored beyond words." He added: "Fight with all of our soul to support our President and defend this magnificent Republic."

Trump has called Miller one of his "most trusted advisors." White House communications director Steven Cheung described him as "a Trump OG, someone who has been with the President since the very beginning."

Praise and Pushback

Administration officials quickly rallied around Miller. Vice President JD Vance called him "an amazing patriot" and said the promotion was "well deserved." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted, "Patriots in control." Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote that he was "looking forward to continuing our work with my good friend Stephen Miller as Chief."

Democrats, who will soon control both the House and the Senate, sharply criticized the pick. Rep. Jim McGovern, the incoming House Rules Committee chair, said, "Clearly they've learned nothing."

Sen. Chris Van Hollen called the move a "kick in the teeth" to voters, writing, "Buckle up: this is a sign of Trump's contempt for the voters." Sen. Andy Kim said Miller "is the most dangerous person in Trump's administration and should be fired instead of being promoted."

Some criticism came from Republicans as well. Outgoing GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, who is not seeking reelection, called Miller "the worst of all possible choices," arguing his divisive approach would make it harder to work with the new Democratic majorities. Most Republicans have stayed quiet, though a few have congratulated Miller.

The shake-up comes as Republicans sort through what went wrong in the midterms, with several potential 2028 contenders pointing to the Iran war and rising costs.

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