Stephen Miller is the new White House chief of staff. President Donald Trump announced on Friday, November 6, 2026, that Susie Wiles is leaving the job and that Miller, his longtime adviser, will replace her. Miller takes over on Monday.
The shake-up made "Stephen Miller" the top political search in the United States, with more than 200,000 searches in a day, along with "Susie Wiles" and "who is Stephen Miller." It comes just days after the 2026 midterm elections, in which, according to NPR, Republicans were swept out of power in Congress.
What Trump Said
Trump made the announcement on his platform, Truth Social, and later spoke to reporters about the change.
"Stephen's been with me since the beginning. He gets it," Trump said.
According to NPR, Trump said Wiles will continue to work for him on political operations, so she is not leaving his orbit entirely.
Susie Wiles' Statement
Wiles, the first woman ever to serve as White House chief of staff, responded in a statement on X.
"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," she wrote. "While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will."
Why Is Susie Wiles Out?
Trump has not given a detailed public explanation. Several news outlets, including CNN, reported, citing sources, that the president had grown frustrated after the midterm results. NPR described the move as a "defiant note" from Trump following his party's losses.
The timing matters. With Democrats taking control of Congress, the second half of Trump's term is likely to involve more investigations, more vetoes and tougher negotiations over spending. Picking Miller, one of his most loyal and combative aides, signals that the president does not plan to soften his approach.
Who Is Susie Wiles?
Susie Wiles is a veteran Republican strategist from Florida. She worked on Trump's 2020 campaign in Florida, helped lead his 2024 campaign and served as chief of staff from the first day of his second term.
She built a reputation as a disciplined, low-profile manager. NPR noted that she was credited with reducing the staff turnover and press leaks that marked Trump's first term. Earlier this year, Wiles was diagnosed with breast cancer, and this fall it was announced that she was cancer-free.
Who Is Stephen Miller?
Stephen Miller has been one of Trump's closest advisers since the 2016 campaign. Key facts:
- Current roles: White House deputy chief of staff and homeland security adviser.
- Focus: He is best known as the architect of Trump's hard-line immigration policies, from the first term to the current administration.
- Speechwriter: He has written many of Trump's major speeches and is known for his combative style.
- Foreign policy: According to NPR, he has also been involved in advising on military operations in the Middle East.
As chief of staff, Miller will control who gets time with the president and what information reaches him, making him one of the most powerful people in Washington.
What Does a White House Chief of Staff Do?
The chief of staff runs the White House staff, manages the president's schedule and acts as a gatekeeper.
David Cohen, a political science professor at the University of Akron who studies the role, told NPR the chief of staff is a "very important gatekeeper of the president's time." Ideally, he said, the chief of staff serves as a neutral broker, but "oftentimes, though, the chief of staff is the last person talking to the president."
How Democrats Reacted
Democratic leaders strongly criticized the choice.
- Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader who is widely expected to become speaker, called Miller "a dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist" and urged Trump to fire him.
- Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, said Trump "learned nothing from his historic defeat" and that "Our Democratic majorities will fight him every step of the way."
How Republicans See Miller
Miller's supporters see him as one of the most effective figures in Trump's circle. Earlier this year, when a few Republicans questioned his influence, a group of GOP senators rushed to defend him. Sen. Lindsey Graham said Miller would be "proven right" on immigration, and Sen. Tom Cotton said he highly valued Miller's counsel.
Supporters credit Miller with delivering on Trump's border promises, which remain popular with the president's base. Critics, including some Republicans, have argued that aggressive immigration enforcement hurt the party with swing voters. NPR reported that data from this week's election suggest voters backed Democrats in part because of those enforcement tactics.
What Happens Next
Miller officially starts as chief of staff on Monday. The big questions now are who will take over his immigration and homeland security portfolio, how the White House will work with a Democratic-controlled Congress, and whether more staff changes are coming after the midterms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new White House chief of staff?
Stephen Miller, who replaces Susie Wiles starting Monday, November 9, 2026.
Why did Susie Wiles leave?
Trump did not give a detailed reason. Media reports said he was frustrated after the midterm elections. Wiles will continue working on political operations.
What was Stephen Miller's previous job?
He served as White House deputy chief of staff and homeland security adviser.