Trump taps Stephen Miller as chief of staff
SCMP · 3 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Donald Trump announced on Friday that Stephen Miller, currently a deputy chief of staff, will replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff starting on Monday, November 9. The move came days after Republicans lost control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the midterm elections, leaving Trump to face Democratic majorities in Congress for the rest of his term. Trump said Wiles would move to his political operation, while praising Miller as “one of my most trusted advisors” and Wiles for doing “an outstanding job.” The appointment elevates a long-time loyalist closely associated with Trump’s hardline immigration agenda and expansive views of presidential power.
Key Points
- Trump said Miller, now serving as deputy chief of staff, will take over the top White House staff role on Monday, November 9.
- Susie Wiles left the White House role on Friday and is set to move into Trump’s political operation, though specific duties were not disclosed.
- The change followed Tuesday’s midterm losses, in which Republicans lost control of both the House and the Senate to Democrats.
- Miller, 41, joined Trump’s 2016 campaign as a speechwriter and later became a senior adviser during Trump’s first presidency
- He is widely seen as the architect of Trump’s hardline immigration enforcement, including restrictions targeting several Muslim-majority countries.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers tracking US policy, Miller’s promotion suggests the White House is likely to keep a confrontational governing style even after the midterm setback, rather than pivot toward compromise. With Democrats now controlling both chambers of Congress, the administration may face more investigations and could rely more heavily on executive power, shaping the tone of US politics and policy over the next two years.