Trump appoints new chief of staff

United States President Donald Trump has appointed Stephen Miller, the architect of his hardline immigration policies, as his new chief of staff days after Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections.

Trump announced the appointment on Friday through his Truth Social platform, saying Miller, who currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff, would assume the position on Monday, November 9, 2026.

Miller will replace Susie Wiles, who is leaving the position to join the President’s political operation.

Announcing the decision, Trump described Miller as one of his most trusted advisers and praised Wiles for her performance.

“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,” he wrote.

“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!”

Miller has been a close ally of Trump since his 2016 presidential campaign, when he served as a speechwriter.

He later became a senior policy adviser during Trump’s first administration, playing a central role in shaping the President’s immigration agenda.

He returned to the White House in January 2025 as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Adviser, emerging as one of the administration’s most influential figures on immigration and domestic policy.

During Trump’s first term, Miller helped develop policies that included the 2018 family separation programme, which resulted in thousands of migrant children being separated from their parents at the US-Mexico border.

Wiles, a veteran political strategist, became the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff when Trump appointed her in January 2025 at the start of his second term.

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She previously helped manage Trump’s 2016 and 2020 campaigns in Florida and oversaw his 2024 presidential campaign, earning recognition for bringing discipline to his political operations.

Miller’s appointment comes days after Republicans lost their majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the November 3 midterm elections.

The results will give Democrats greater control over congressional proceedings and strengthen their ability to scrutinise the Trump administration, block parts of its legislative agenda and challenge its policy priorities during the final two years of his presidency.