Stephen Miller named White House chief of staff after midterms

Stephen Miller, the hardline architect of Donald Trump’s mass deportation policy, has officially taken over as White House chief of staff, according to The Guardian ^[1]. The appointment comes just days after Republicans suffered massive losses in the midterm elections, a result that voters used to rebuke the president’s agenda.

The shift in power is significant for the administration. Miller, 41, previously served as a deputy chief of staff but is now positioned as Trump’s primary right-hand man. This move follows Trump’s announcement on Truth Social that Miller would replace Susie Wiles, the former chief of staff who had been rumored to be departing for weeks. The Guardian reported that the announcement surprised many, as administration officials had previously denied Wiles was leaving ^[1].

The timing of Miller’s promotion raises eyebrows given Trump’s recent comments. In a weekend interview with CBS News, Trump told correspondent Ross Douthat that his administration’s immigration policies "may have been too tough," according to CBS News ^[2]. Despite this admission, Trump chose to elevate Miller, the man behind those very policies, to an even larger role in the West Wing.

Democratic critics have seized on the appointment, accusing Trump of ignoring voter sentiment by promoting Miller. The backlash stems from the harsh anti-immigration crackdowns that defined the last year of the administration. While Trump acknowledged in the interview that "a lot of people think it's too tough," his decision to promote Miller suggests no immediate softening in strategy.

The staffing shakeup is not limited to Miller. Richard Walters, a deputy chief of staff and close ally of Susie Wiles, announced he would also be leaving the administration, according to The Guardian ^[1]. This follows the recent departures of other high-profile women in the administration, including Harmeet Dhillon and Katie Zacharia, who served only five days as press secretary.

Adding to the uncertainty, Trump revealed he had offered Dana White, the head of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the role of White House press secretary. Although Trump later claimed he was "only kidding," the two are scheduled to meet on Monday, according to The Guardian ^[1]. As the administration reshuffles its leadership, the focus remains on whether Miller’s new position will signal a continuation of hardline policies or a shift in tone.