Trump names hard-right aide Stephen Miller as chief of staff after midterm losses

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Stephen Miller, 41, will replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff on Monday, marking the first major reshuffle after the Democratic Party's sweeping midterm victory on Tuesday. Wiles, who led Trump's 2024 campaign, was ousted following the election results widely seen as a rejection of Trump's second term, including his hardline immigration policies championed by Miller. Trump praised Miller as a "fine politician" who "understands things," while Miller vowed on X to "support the president and defend this magnificent republic." The chief of staff role is highly strategic, controlling access to the president. Miller's appointment drew praise from hard-right figures like Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, but fierce criticism from Democrats, with Senate leader Chuck Schumer pledging to fight him "step by step" and House leader Hakeem Jeffries calling him a "dangerous xenophobe." The move signals a combative White House approach toward the new Democratic Congress and Trump's reliance on a tight circle of loyalists.