Stephen Miller becomes White House chief of staff after Democrats win Congress

Stephen Miller is set to assume the role of White House chief of staff on Monday, replacing Susie Wiles in a leadership change announced by President Donald Trump on Friday. The appointment places Miller at the center of the administration just weeks after Republicans suffered major losses in the midterm elections, a result that has shifted the balance of power in Washington.

Miller, 41, has served as a close aide to Trump for over a decade. He is widely recognized for his influence on the president’s immigration policies, including the mass deportation efforts that have characterized the current term. Trump described Miller on Truth Social as one of his most trusted advisors, signaling a commitment to the policies Miller has championed.

The timing of the move follows the election results from earlier this week, in which Democrats secured control of both the US House of Representatives and the Senate. These wins are expected to take effect in January. With the new congressional makeup, Democratic leaders have indicated they will launch investigations into Miller’s role in the White House and his influence on federal policy.

Miller’s path to the top of the White House began well before he joined Trump’s team. He built a reputation as a conservative activist at Santa Monica High School, where he criticized liberal school policies on local radio. At Duke University, he led the Conservative Union and advocated for three lacrosse players accused of rape. After graduating, he moved to Washington, DC, to work as a legislative aide for Republican members of Congress, including Senator Jeff Sessions.

He joined Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign in January of that year. Former adviser Steve Bannon told The Associated Press in 2017 that Miller helped Trump find his voice, noting that the two hit it off immediately. Miller served as a speechwriter and adviser during the first term, where he shaped messaging on immigration and other issues.

During the first term, Miller was credited with shaping the Department of Justice’s 2018 Zero Tolerance policy. That policy led to the separation of families at the border, a practice that ended via executive order after public outcry. He also pushed for the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which stopped accepting new applicants in 2021. Additionally, he supported the 2017 travel ban that restricted entry from several Muslim-majority nations, a rule that was eventually upheld by the Supreme Court.

Miller’s tenure in the White House has drawn criticism from Democrats. In 2019, the Southern Poverty Law Center released emails suggesting he supported white nationalist websites. Representative Joaquin Castro said in a 2020 statement that it was unacceptable for the administration to keep a known white nationalist in a position of power. Miller also became a key proponent of the claims that the 2020 election was stolen.

Since returning to the administration in January 2025, Miller has overseen the expansion of immigration enforcement. In May 2025, he told Fox News that the administration set a goal of a minimum of 3,000 arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement every day. He has defended aggressive tactics by agents, including the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Miller also advocated for ending birthright citizenship and supported the US military’s actions in the Western Hemisphere. In January, he told CNN that the US had a right to seize Greenland based on its military strength. As chief of staff, Miller will oversee White House staff, manage the president’s calendar, and control information flows to the press and the public.

The role of chief of staff is often described as the gatekeeper to the presidency. It involves advising the president on policy and managing the daily operations of the executive branch. Miller’s new position will place him in direct charge of these responsibilities as the new Congress prepares to convene in January.