Who is Stephen Miller? Trump hardliner gets top White House job

Trump appoints Stephen Miller as Chief of Staff after midterm election setback

Stephen Miller, one of US President Donald Trump's longest-serving advisers and the architect of his hardline immigration agenda, has been named the new White House chief of staff, placing a key figure behind the administration's domestic policies at the centre of its decision-making.The 41-year-old will replace Susie Wiles, becoming Trump's closest aide at a time when Republicans have suffered a setback in the midterm elections and Democrats are set to take control of Congress. Wiles became the first woman to hold the position during Trump's second presidency.Meanwhile, Miller's appointment also puts an official closely involved in some of the administration's most controversial decisions in a position to coordinate its response to the incoming opposition.A central figure in Trump's immigration agendaMiller's association with Trump dates back to the 2016 presidential campaign. He joined the campaign as a speechwriter and subsequently became a senior adviser in Trump's first administration, serving from 2017 to 2021. His influence continued after Trump returned to the White House in 2025, when Miller took charge of policy coordination as deputy chief of staff and also served as homeland security adviser.

Immigration has been his most prominent area of involvement. Miller has long argued for stricter controls and played a central role in turning Trump's campaign promises on immigration into government policy.During the second administration, he pushed for a daily target of 3,000 arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The enforcement drive expanded operations across American communities, bringing people without criminal convictions within the scope of immigration raids.

Even long-term residents were caught up in the crackdown.Miller also encouraged ICE to conduct operations at Home Depot outlets, where day labourers frequently gather. His position has extended to changing the legal framework governing immigration. He has repeatedly backed an end to birthright citizenship, which guarantees citizenship to most people born on US soil.After the Supreme Court rejected Trump's proposal on birthright citizenship, Miller described the decision as "one of the most destructive and outrageous decisions" in the court's history, as quoted by Reuters.

He subsequently announced a move against so-called birth tourism, targeting foreign nationals travelling to the US to have children.The immigration crackdown has, however, become a source of political opposition for the administration. A Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted shortly before the midterm elections found that 54% of respondents disapproved of the enforcement drive, against 36% who approved of it. Democrats have indicated that Miller's role in the policy will come under congressional scrutiny.Beyond immigrationMiller has also been involved in several other major initiatives pursued by Trump. These include the administration's efforts to reduce the federal workforce, which resulted in tens of thousands of civil servants losing their jobs in 2025, and its disputes with universities and institutions over diversity programmes.He has been an advocate of expanding presidential authority and is part of a small group of White House officials involved in reviewing executive orders.His political positions also extend to foreign policy. Miller has defended US military operations against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific and supported American and Israeli military action against Iran. He has also backed the administration's pressure on Tehran through sanctions and a naval blockade.In January, he refused to rule out military action as a means of acquiring Greenland.

Defending the administration's attacks on suspected drug smugglers in October 2025, he said: "These are terrorists and they're going to be killed."How Miller entered Trump's political orbitMiller's political views took shape long before he joined Trump's campaign. Raised in Santa Monica, California, he developed a reputation for conservative and combative commentary while writing for Duke University's student newspaper.He subsequently worked as a congressional aide, where he advocated restricting immigration at a time when the position had not yet become a defining feature of Republican politics. His association with Trump gave him a national platform and an opportunity to translate those views into policy.Following Trump's defeat in the 2020 election, Miller established America First Legal, a conservative advocacy organisation.

The group pursued complaints against companies, including Nike, alleging discrimination against white people.Miller has remained a close political ally of Trump throughout the president's two terms. His wife, Katie Miller, is a conservative podcaster who previously worked as a communications aide in Trump's first administration.What his elevation means for TrumpMiller's appointment comes at a time when Trump faces the prospect of congressional investigations into his administration and its policies.

Democrats have already signalled that the new chief of staff could be among their targets.Hakeem Jeffries, who is set to become the Democratic speaker of the House, described Miller as a "reckless extremist" after the announcement. Representative Robert Garcia, the incoming chairman of the House Oversight Committee, also warned that Miller should prepare for scrutiny over the administration's immigration operations.Marc Short, who served as chief of staff to former Vice-President Mike Pence, said Miller's elevation showed that Trump wanted an adviser firmly aligned with him and prepared to confront lawmakers. As per him, Trump was "getting someone who is wed to him" and willing to battle Congress over immigration and investigations.