Miller takes over White House chief of staff role after midterm losses

Stephen Miller will lead the White House staff starting Monday, November 9, according to President Donald Trump. The announcement came on Friday, just days after Republicans lost their majority in Congress during Tuesday's midterm elections. Miller currently serves as deputy chief of staff and will replace Susie Wiles, who has held the top position since the start of the current term.

Wiles submitted her resignation on Thursday night. A person familiar with the private conversation said she told Trump she would be stepping down. On his Truth Social account, Trump described Wiles as having done an outstanding job. He stated that she would move to his political organization. "She has done a great job!" Trump wrote. He called Miller one of his most trusted advisors.

Miller has been part of Trump's circle since the 2016 campaign, starting as a speechwriter. He helped design the administration's strict immigration policies. Before joining the White House, he worked for Jeff Sessions, who served as the first attorney general of the Trump presidency. Wiles, 69, was the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff.

Wiles built her reputation as a disciplined operator. She ran Trump's campaign in Florida in 2016 and 2020. In 2024, she oversaw the entire national effort. Trump often referred to her as the "ice maiden." He credited her with managing his most organized presidential bid. At the 2024 victory party, she avoided the microphone while Trump tried to get her to speak to the crowd.

Her departure follows a period of personal health challenges. In March 2026, Wiles disclosed a diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer. She underwent surgery and treatment. Six months later, she announced she was cancer-free. In an October 2026 interview with Fox News Digital, she explained that her doctor urged her to get a mammogram that day because a machine was available. "Four months may not sound like a long time, but with cancer, early detection matters," she said.

In December 2025, Vanity Fair published interviews with Wiles. She described Trump as having an "alcoholic's personality" despite the fact that he does not drink. She said Attorney General Pam Bondi "whiffed" in handling the Jeffrey Epstein files. She also called Vice President JD Vance a "conspiracy theorist for about a decade." Trump and other aides defended her. Wiles called the magazine's publication a "disingenuously framed hit piece."

Wiles has a long history in Florida politics. She helped Rick Scott win the governor's race in 2010 and Ron DeSantis win in 2018. She also managed Jon Huntsman's 2012 presidential campaign. Her father was Pat Summerall, a former NFL player and broadcaster. She worked as a scheduler for President Ronald Reagan early in her career. She later became a partner at Ballard Partners, a lobbying firm in Florida.

Trump cycled through four chiefs of staff during his first term. Reince Priebus served for six months. John Kelly served for 17 months. Mick Mulvaney served in an acting capacity for over a year. Mark Meadows served for the final 10 months. Miller steps in now as the administration faces a divided government for the second half of the term.