Trump replaces Susie with anti-immigration hardliner Miller as chief of staff

President Donald Trump has made a major reshuffle in the White House following the Republican Party's defeat in the US midterm elections. He has replaced his longtime close aide and chief of staff, Susan Wiles, with Stephen Miller as his new chief of staff. 

With this decision taken on Friday (November 6), Miller, known as one of the Trump administration's most tough-line policymakers, is now taking over the White House administrative leadership.

With Trump facing a Democratic-led House and Senate after losing control of Congress, and the prospect of a series of congressional investigations into his administration, Trump has clearly signaled a tough stance by giving longtime loyalist and hardline policymaker Stephen Miller a key role.

White House officials told Reuters that the decision to appoint Miller as chief of staff suggests that Trump is taking a more aggressive stance on domestic policy and political activities.

Stephen Miller is a veteran of Trump's first term (2017-2021). He served as deputy chief of staff under Susie Wiles when Trump returned to the White House for a second time in 2025.

However, beyond his official position, he had a significant influence on the Trump administration's domestic policymaking, especially on immigration policy and a variety of domestic issues.

Miller's role in the US's crackdown on immigration is widely discussed. He was instrumental in setting a target of 3,000 immigrants arrested per day.

To achieve this goal, federal immigration officials expanded their surveillance and arrests, even targeting immigrants who had lived in the United States for decades.

In a post on social media, Trump referred to Stephen Miller as "one of his most trusted advisors." He also praised the work of Susie Wiles.

Trump said Suu Kyi had done a "tremendous job." He added that the new role would take effect next Monday (November 9).

A White House official said Susie Wiles submitted her resignation Thursday night, but she will remain involved in Trump's political and campaign activities.

Trump was unhappy with his own political and communications management even before the midterm elections, and his public approval ratings were near record lows before the election.

A person familiar with the matter said that Trump said this week that the White House would have to be more "aggressive" after Democrats took control of Congress.

According to the person, close aides began expressing concerns about Susie Wiles' potential successor in the White House on Wednesday.

Another White House official explained Trump's decision, saying, "He is rewarding those who are most loyal to him. He is not changing his ways."