Trump's Bold Move: What Stephen Miller's New Role Means for His Political Future
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WASHINGTON — President Trump on Friday announced that he was replacing his chief of staff Susie Wiles with longtime adviser Stephen Miller following Republicans’ landslide midterm election loss.
Trump’s selection of Miller reflects plans for a combative approach toward defending his policies and fighting Democratic congressional investigations next year.
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“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!”
Wiles, 69, managed Trump’s successful 2024 campaign and was credited with bringing stability and cohesion to the West Wing during her 21-month tenure, during which she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
A source close to Wiles said she “tendered her resignation yesterday.”
Miller, 41, has served as deputy chief of staff for policy, acting as a key conduit with federal agencies, during the president’s second term and concurrently as Trump’s homeland security adviser. He takes on his new job as Democrats ready for control of Congress.
“There are still many who are gearing up for the challenge. It’s time to fight even harder,” a White House official told The Post ahead of Trump’s announcement.
An operative close to the White House said Miller’s selection signals Trump is “gearing up for a fight” with Democrats.
Miller is known for his strident approach to defending Trump’s most hardline policies.
His wide second-term policy portfolio ranged from pushing forward Trump’s mass deportation campaign to overseeing the release of declassified UFO files. In the past month, he appeared alongside Trump at events focused on anti-fraud efforts and cybercrime.
“You’ve put the American people’s safety first,” Miller raved to the president at an Oct. 21 event in the East Room.
“There’s a common theme in all of the challenges that you have systemically tackled and solved, whether it’s the trade deficit, where we were getting ripped off by foreign countries, whether it’s welfare fraud, where we’re getting ripped off by these refugees and foreign scammers, or cybercrime, where you have entire foreign economies that are propped up on stealing from American seniors.
“What you’re saying is America is not a pile of treasure for other countries and other people and other scammers all around the world to loot for themselves. You’re protecting American wealth for American people and American families in a way no leader has ever done before.”
Miller, whose wife Katie Miller is herself a former official in both Trump terms, is known for rarely leaking to the press, though he has frequently appeared on TV to defend the president.
He has worked for Trump since the day he entered the White House in 2017 and served as his top speechwriter during his first term.
“Serving President Trump in the White House has been the honor of a lifetime,” Wiles said on Friday. “I’m so proud to have been a part of what we’ve accomplished together from securing our border and cutting taxes to strengthening our economy and putting America First.
“More than anything, I’m grateful for the extraordinary people I’ve had the privilege of working alongside. While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will,” she added.
Other potential heads to roll after the midterm loss include Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, for their roles overseeing the Iran war, which fueled the landslide changeover in legislative power.
