Stephen Miller to run the White House after Republicans lost both chambers of Congress
The 41-year-old adviser, known for shaping immigration policy, takes over from Susie Wiles as Democrats prepare to take control of both houses of Congress.
By Ryan Carter ·
President Donald Trump appointed Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff on Friday, a decision that cemented the influence of his most controversial policy architect. The move followed the Republican Party’s losses in the midterm elections earlier in the week, where Democrats secured majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Miller, who is 41 years old, will assume the role on Monday, replacing Susie Wiles. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Miller as “one of my most trusted advisors.” The appointment signals a continued commitment to the administration’s aggressive immigration agenda, a central pillar of the second Trump term.
Miller has been a central figure in the White House since the administration returned to office in January 2025. He served as deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser. In that capacity, he helped orchestrate a mass deportation campaign that saw immigration enforcement agents target communities across the country, often focusing on individuals with no or minor criminal records.
During his time in the second term, Miller advocated for high arrest quotas and defended the tactics of federal agents. In May 2025, he told Fox News that the administration had “set a goal of a minimum of 3,000 arrests for ICE every day.” He also defended the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by immigration agents in Minneapolis in January, initially calling both individuals “terrorists” before retracting the term for Pretti.
His political career began long before he joined Trump’s inner circle. Miller built a reputation as a conservative activist in Santa Monica, California, where he criticized local school policies on radio shows. He later attended Duke University, where he led the Duke Conservative Union and supported three lacrosse players accused of rape.
After moving to Washington, D.C., Miller worked as a legislative aide to Republican members of Congress, including Senator Jeff Sessions. He joined Trump’s presidential campaign in January 2016, where he helped shape the candidate’s messaging. Former adviser Steve Bannon told the Associated Press in 2017 that Miller “helped Trump find his voice.”
Miller’s influence extended to major policy shifts during Trump’s first term. He is credited with shaping the 2018 “Zero Tolerance” border policy, which led to the separation of families at the US-Mexico border. The policy was ended via executive order after widespread public outcry. He also championed the 2017 travel ban that restricted entry from several Muslim-majority countries, a measure the Supreme Court eventually upheld.
Critics have long pointed to Miller’s ties to white nationalist groups. In 2019, the Southern Poverty Law Center released emails suggesting he supported such websites. In 2020, Representative Joaquin Castro called it “unacceptable” for the administration to install someone with those views in a position of power.
As the new chief of staff, Miller will oversee White House staff, hiring, and the president’s calendar. The role is often described as the “gatekeeper” to the presidency, controlling the flow of information to the leader. With Democrats now leading both chambers, lawmakers are expected to launch investigations into Miller’s role and influence within the administration.
The transition is set to begin on Monday. Miller’s elevation places him at the center of the White House operation as the administration faces a new legislative landscape and increased scrutiny from opposition parties.
