President Donald Trump appointed longtime adviser Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles after her tenure as the first woman to hold the position.
Miller, who worked with Trump beginning during his 2015 campaign, has been a major architect of the administration’s immigration and domestic policy initiatives. The appointment gives him broader responsibility for White House operations, personnel and policy coordination. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Wiles’ service and congratulated Miller.
Miller, 41, previously served as deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser. His promotion puts him in charge of coordinating White House staff and helping manage implementation of the president’s domestic agenda.
The longtime adviser worked on Trump’s first presidential campaign in 2015 and held major policy responsibilities during his first administration. Since returning to the White House, he has played a central role in immigration enforcement and national security matters.
Trump announced the appointment November 6, with Miller expected to assume the new role November 9. The president also thanked Wiles for her work directing White House operations and for helping manage the successful 2024 election campaign.
Wiles became the first woman to hold the chief of staff position when Trump began his second term in January 2025. She was widely credited by supporters with bringing a more orderly management structure to the administration.
Vice President JD Vance praised both officials, calling Miller a patriot and thanking Wiles for her service and friendship. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also welcomed the transition and praised Wiles’ dedication.
Republican officials including Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Cynthia Lummis voiced support for the selection. Members of Trump’s administration said Miller’s understanding of the president’s agenda would help coordinate policy across departments.
Democratic leaders criticized the appointment, citing Miller’s prominent role in the administration’s immigration restrictions and mass-deportation efforts. They have challenged several of those policies in Congress and the courts.
The transition follows the November 3 midterm elections and comes as the administration prepares for a more complicated political environment. The White House chief of staff is among the president’s closest advisers and manages access, staffing and major policy coordination.
The leadership change underscores the continuing emphasis on border enforcement, immigration policy and the administration’s America First priorities. Miller has been a polarizing figure because of his support for strict immigration measures, which critics argue can threaten civil liberties and exceed executive authority.