Trump names Stephen Miller chief of staff after Republican midterm losses

WASHINGTON | 07-11-2026 : Donald Trump has named Stephen Miller as his next White House chief of staff, elevating a principal architect of his immigration policies days after Republicans lost control of Congress in the US midterm elections, according to The Guardian. Miller will replace Susie Wiles and begin the role on Monday.

The Guardian reported that Trump announced the appointment on Friday, describing Miller as a trusted adviser and praising Wiles’s work. Speaking outside the White House before travelling to Florida, the president said he wanted a change and highlighted Miller’s political judgement and management abilities.

Miller, 41, has been a close Trump confidant since 2016 and helped shape the president’s hardline immigration agenda, according to Al Jazeera. The Guardian reported that he has served as deputy chief of staff since Trump returned to the presidency in January 2025.

A longtime adviser moves into the top staff role

Miller joined Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign as a speechwriter after working for Jeff Sessions, the former Alabama senator who later became Trump’s first attorney general, according to The Guardian. His promotion places one of the president’s longest-serving advisers at the head of the White House staff.

During Trump’s first term, Miller played a central role in policies separating migrant families at the border and restricting travel from Muslim-majority countries, The Guardian reported. In the second administration, he has remained influential on immigration enforcement and advocated ending birthright citizenship.

In a social media response to his appointment, Miller expressed gratitude and pledged to support the president, according to The Guardian. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also welcomed the promotion, the outlet reported in a separate analysis.

Wiles leaves after leading the 2024 campaign

Wiles, 69, was the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff and Trump’s longest-serving holder of the position, according to The Guardian. She led his successful 2024 presidential campaign and was credited with bringing greater discipline to his political operation and limiting leaks during his second administration.

The Guardian described her departure as an ouster while also reporting that she submitted her resignation on Thursday night. Trump publicly praised her performance. In her own statement, Wiles expressed pride in the administration’s record and said her commitment to the president and his agenda would continue.

Democrats promise scrutiny

The appointment drew immediate opposition from senior Democrats. According to The Guardian, Hakeem Jeffries, who is poised to become House speaker, called for Miller’s removal, while Chuck Schumer, expected to become Senate majority leader, pledged resistance from the incoming Democratic congressional majorities.

The Guardian’s separate analysis reported that California Representative Robert Garcia, poised to lead the House oversight committee next year, promised to investigate Miller’s involvement in mass deportations. Senator Alex Padilla said Democrats would use oversight, investigations, subpoenas and federal funding leverage to seek accountability.

Immigrant-rights advocates also voiced concern. Faisal Al-Juburi, co-chief executive of the Texas-based humanitarian and immigration services organisation Raíces, told The Guardian that he expected Miller’s promotion to accelerate deportations. That assessment is a prediction, rather than an announced policy change.

The Guardian’s analysis interpreted the appointment as a sign that Trump would maintain his immigration approach despite the election losses. The reported announcement itself centred on the leadership change, with Miller due to take over as Democrats prepare to scrutinise the administration through their newly won congressional majorities.

Sources: Al Jazeera; The Guardian, news reporting and analysis.