Stephen Miller named by Trump as new White House chief of staff

US President Donald ‌Trump announced on ⁠Friday ⁠that his ​deputy chief of ​staff and architect of his administration's strict immigration policy, Stephen Miller, will become his new chief of staff.

Miller replaces Susie Wiles, who had been in the post since Trump's inauguration. With the nod, Miller becomes the top aide to the president.

Trump announced the move, saying Miller was "one of my most trusted advisors," adding that Wiles has done an outstanding job, and would be "moving over" to the "Trump political operation." 

 "He gets it" and is "very good politically. And he's a very good man. He'll do a great job, great manager," Trump said.

Wiles also commented on her exit from the White House, saying that her work there was "the honor of a lifetime."

The move comes after Trump's Republican Party lost control of the House and Senate after a midterm election rout at the hands of Democrats. 

One of Trump's longest-serving aides

The 41-year-old is one of Trump's longest-serving advisers, having joined Trump's longshot 2016 presidential campaign as a speechwriter.

Although his portfolio as deputy chief of staff was wide-ranging, Miller is most responsible for Trump's policies and rhetoric on immigration.

Miller's appointment is a signal that Trump intends to continue on with his hardline immigration policies, despite voters rejecting Republicans around the country. 

Miller is known for taking controversial positions, and is one of the Trump administration's most vocal advocates, frequently making media appearances to defend extreme positions. 

Miller a controversial figure 

On immigration, his ideas have included calling for federal agents to make 3,000 arrests every day, while allowing the agency to target migrants who have lived in the US for decades. He is widely created with helping expand the remit of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

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On foreign policy, Miller has defended extrajudicial strikes on boats in Caribbean Sea allegedly used by drugs smugglers, and defended the administration's military operation to snatch Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in January. 

In January 2026, Miller went on broadcaster CNN and claimed that the US had the right the seize Greenland, after Trump said controlling the Danish territory was a strategic necessity.  

"We live in the real world, Jake, that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power. These are the iron laws of the world since the beginning of time," Miller told CNN's host Jake Tapper.

Miller also has not held back on attacking the administration's opponents.

During the midterm campaign, Miller called Democrats "extremists, freaks and America-hating lunatics" on social media.

He also promoted claims about election fraud in California and Alaska, which were not substantiated.

As Trump has lost control of both chambers of Congress, Miller has been credited with working in the background to create an obstructionist strategy for the White House to block Democratic legislation. Trump has taken to the strategy and has said, "I guess I'll become Mr. Veto." 

Democrats vow to 'fight' Miller's agenda

After Trump's announcement, New York Democratic Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, who could become the next speaker of the House, posted on social media that Miller was a "dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist who has American blood on his hands," referring to the deaths of US citizens protesting ICE raids. 

Senator Chuck Schumer issued a statement saying the Trump had "learned nothing" after the Republican's election drubbing. 

"Stephen Miller is the architect of the most barbaric, inhumane policies of this administration," said Schumer, who is positioned to become the next Senate majority leader in January.

"Trump couldn't have made a worse choice. Our Democratic majorities will fight him every step of the way," he said. 

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