Miller takes over White House after midterms

Stephen Miller will replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff, President Donald Trump announced on Friday. The personnel shift follows a midterm election cycle in which Republicans lost control of power, marking a decisive move by the president. Miller, who currently serves as deputy chief of staff and an advisor to the Department of Homeland Security, is scheduled to begin his new duties on Monday.

Wiles has held the top administrative post in the White House since the start of this administration. She previously worked on the Trump 2020 campaign in Florida and built a reputation for strict management that reduced staff turnover and press leaks. In a statement on X, she noted her pride in accomplishments regarding the border, taxes, and the economy. "While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will," she wrote. The president said on Truth Social that Wiles will continue to work on political operations.

Miller has been a fixture in Trump's circles since 2016. He is widely recognized for shaping the administration's controversial immigration policies and has also advised on military operations in the Middle East. During a press interaction on Friday afternoon, the president defended the choice. "Stephen's been with me since the beginning. He gets it," Trump told reporters. Miller is known for his rhetorical style and frequently appears behind the president during Oval Office media events.

Wiles, who was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, was declared cancer free this fall. In a profile for Vanity Fair last year, she described Trump as having an "alcoholic's personality" and said she made a specialty of dealing with such temperaments. She told journalist Chris Whipple, "I make a speciality of it."

David Cohen, a political science professor at the University of Akron, noted the importance of the new role. "The chief of staff is a very important gatekeeper of the president's time, and of their information and the people that are going in to see the president," Cohen said. He added that the role is supposed to be a neutral broker, but often the chief of staff is the last person talking to the president. Miller's appointment is expected to increase his influence over the president's schedule and access.

The change in leadership comes as data indicates voters supported Democrats in part due to the administration's aggressive immigration enforcement. Miller has been unapologetic for these actions, which remain popular with the president's core voting base. The transition will take effect on Monday, with Wiles moving to her new focus on political operations.