WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has named longtime aide Stephen Miller as his chief of staff on Friday, giving the architect of some of his toughest domestic policies one of the most powerful jobs in Washington.
Miller replaces Susie Wiles, who submitted her resignation after Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress, delivering a blow to the prospects for Trump’s agenda in his final two years in the White House. Miller assumes the role as the president prepares to confront a Democratic-led House of Representatives and Senate and a wave of congressional investigations into his administration.
In a social media post, Trump called Miller “one of my most trusted advisors,” and praised Wiles for doing “an outstanding job.” Trump said the change would take effect on Monday. Asked why he elevated Miller to chief of staff, Trump told reporters on Friday: “Stephen’s been with me from the beginning. He gets it, very good politically … and he’s a very good manager. He’ll do a great job.”
A White House official said Miller’s appointment signals that Trump has no intention of rethinking his policies and instead is rewarding his most loyal aides. “He’s not changing course,” the official said, despite tens of millions of American voters repudiating Trump’s domestic agenda and foreign policy.
One of Trump’s closest aides, Miller, 41, stuck by the president following his 2020 election defeat and followed him back into power last year. Writing on X on Friday, Miller said: “The mission now is more clear than ever. Fight with all of our soul to support our President and defend this magnificent Republic.”
Miller called Trump “the most transformative political leader in American History” who has “single-handedly saved America from those who would destroy it”. He thanked Wiles – who was seen as one of the most powerful figures in the Trump administration and someone particularly close to the US president – for her years of devoted service and for her friendship.
Hakeem Jeffries, who is set to become the new Democratic speaker of the House, responded to the announcement by calling Miller a “reckless extremist” in a posting on X.
Wiles’ resignation came days after Democrats won both the US Senate and House of Representatives in the midterm elections – taking control of Congress for the rest of Donald Trump’s presidency. She gave her resignation to Trump on Thursday night, a US official told CBS News. Three sources told CBS her resignation was tied to the midterm losses.
Trump said that Wiles would be moved to the “Trump Political Operation”. It was unclear if her deputies would remain at the White House.
Wiles wrote on X that being on Trump’s team had been “the honour of a lifetime”. “I’m so proud to have been a part of what we’ve accomplished together,” she said, adding: “While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will.”
Source: Saudi Gazette