Stephen Miller's promotion signals Trump's refusal to change course

President Donald Trump named hard-line loyalist Stephen Miller as his new chief of staff on Friday, signaling he will not change course after the Republican Party's losses in the midterm elections. The decision cemented fears among many Republicans that there will be no party-wide reckoning. Republicans on Capitol Hill and within the administration are questioning how to break with Trump after supporting much of his agenda, according to interviews with over a dozen lawmakers and aides. Some cited the Iran war and Trump's low approval ratings as factors in the party's defeat, with Vice President JD Vance identifying the war as the main cause. House Republicans face immediate tests, including a potential impeachment vote against Secretary Pete Hegseth and leadership elections next week. However, no prominent GOP candidates have publicly suggested distancing themselves from Trump, as many remain quiet due to his expected influence over the 2028 primaries.