President Donald Trump named Stephen Miller as his new White House chief of staff on Friday, replacing Susie Wiles after Republicans lost control of Congress in the midterm elections.
The appointment, effective Monday, November 9, 2026, came as Democrats swept to majorities in both the House and Senate. Trump announced the change on Truth Social, saying White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, whom he had called the "ice maiden," would move to the Trump Political Operation. Miller, 41, had served as deputy chief of staff and is widely seen as the architect of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda, including mass deportations and efforts to end birthright citizenship. According to The New York Times, Miller was behind the separation of migrant families at the border and the systematic removal of officials deemed disloyal.
With control of both chambers, Democrats have vowed to use congressional oversight to investigate the administration. Rep. Robert Garcia, who will chair the House Oversight Committee, warned the administration to "lawyer up," saying investigating alleged abuses at the Department of Homeland Security was a priority. Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, the ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, said the next Congress will "address the Trump administration's assault on the rule of law and hold those responsible accountable." Democrats plan to examine operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including deaths in detention facilities and whether the agency cut corners hiring thousands of new deportation officers.
Trump responded by ordering the Department of Justice to investigate Democrats for alleged extortion. In a statement on Saturday, he wrote that Democrats were "threatening a lot of people, including the Attorney General of the United States," with impeachment and other punishments. He called it "extortion at the highest level" and ordered the Justice Department to "look into this criminal act, immediately."
Miller's elevation drew sharp criticism from Democrats, with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling him a "dangerous xenophobe and ruthless extremist" with "American blood on his hands." Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called him the "architect of the barbaric, most inhumane policies of this administration." Republican Rep. Don Bacon said Miller's immigration policy contributed to the party's midterm losses and that appointing him was "not a wise decision." Vice President JD Vance praised Miller as an "incredible patriot," while CNN political commentator Zachary B. Wolf wrote that promoting Miller felt like Trump "preparing for war" over congressional oversight.
Miller pledged his loyalty to Trump in a speech on Friday, saying, "It is the greatest honor of my life to be the president's chief of staff." He promised "absolute loyalty and complete devotion to your and America's success." He has been a key figure in Trump's team since 2016, working on Project 2025 and developing plans with budget director Russell Vought to govern by decree if Republicans lost Congress. Miller has called migrants "invaders" and said Greenland should "obviously" be part of the United States.
