By Fatma Younis
President Donald Trump has appointed Stephen Miller as his new White House chief of staff following Republican losses in the 2026 midterm elections, replacing Susie Wiles who resigned Thursday night.
Miller Replaces Wiles as Chief of Staff
Miller, previously deputy chief of staff, assumes the role on Monday. The shift from Wiles, a longtime establishment figure in Florida and national politics, to Miller, architect of the administration's mass-deportation campaign, signals Trump's intention to strengthen ties to his MAGA base for his final two years in office. Former senior Trump aide Steve Bannon described Miller as a "true believer" who will take immediate control, while an ally said Miller will be combative with Congress, particularly regarding Democratic investigations.
Democratic Reaction and Midterm Analysis
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, widely expected to become speaker in January, called for Miller's firing rather than promotion, labeling him a "dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist." Analysis by Kristen Welker indicates the 2026 midterms reveal a far larger slice of swing voters than previously thought. Young, Latino, and disaffected voters who backed Trump in 2024 swung dramatically to Democrats, suggesting both recent elections reflected rejection of the status quo rather than permanent realignment.
Other Political Developments
The U.S. economy added 165,000 jobs in October, including apparent AI-related construction and manufacturing positions. A Trump appointee leading an investigation into federal law enforcement officials has resigned. A federal judge temporarily blocked construction on Trump's "Triumphal Arch" after a planning commission approved it. Senator Chris Murphy was discharged from hospital after suffering a small hemorrhagic stroke last weekend.
