US President Donald Trump announced Friday that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles will step down, naming his longtime adviser Stephen Miller as her successor, effective Monday, November 9.
The move comes just three days after Republicans suffered a sweeping defeat in the midterm elections, losing control of both chambers of Congress.
The announcement marks a striking reversal for Trump, who categorically denied reports of a possible leadership change on October 16.
“There is zero chance,” Trump told CNN at the time, calling the reports false and insisting that Wiles would remain in her position for a long time.
Wiles, first female White House chief of staff, managed Trump's 2024 campaign
Wiles, 69, one of Trump’s closest and most trusted advisers, managed his successful 2024 presidential campaign and became the first woman in American history to serve as White House chief of staff. In September, she announced that she was cancer-free after undergoing treatment for breast cancer diagnosed earlier this year. She continued working throughout her treatment.
US officials told The Jerusalem Post that Wiles submitted her resignation on Thursday.
The 41-year-old Miller is the grandson of Jewish refugees and has been among Trump’s most influential advisers for nearly a decade. Currently serving as deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser, he is widely regarded as the chief architect of the administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown, including mass deportations and tighter border enforcement. His influence has also extended into national security and foreign policy.
Miller is a trusted advisor to the US president, and his appointment suggests the White House is "preparing for a confrontation" with the Democrats, who are expected to take control of Congress.
He is also an uncompromising factor in the harsh and negative sense of the word, and it is estimated that this will make Trump's ability to work with the Democrats non-existent.
Far-right Americans celebrated Miller’s appointment, and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth marked the occasion with a three-word X/Twitter post, saying "Patriots in control."
Trump praises Wiles' 'outstanding job,' says she is to transition to political operation
Trump praised Wiles for having done an “outstanding job” and said she would transition to his political operation, keeping her within his broader political orbit.
In an X post later on Friday, Wiles said she was "proud" of what she and Trump had "accomplished together" during her time as chief of staff.
"More than anything, I’m grateful for the extraordinary people I’ve had the privilege of working alongside," she wrote. "While my role may be changing, my commitment to the president and the mission never will."
Trump addressed the move in remarks to the press on Friday, saying he "wanted to make a change," and that Wiles had done "a great job."
"Stephen has been excellent, and sometimes in life, you have to make moves," Trump told reporters at the White House as he departed for Florida. "Stephen has been with me from the beginning. He understands politics very well and is a very good manager. He will do a great job."
Democrats threaten Miller: 'You’d better get a lawyer'
Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia, poised to become chair of the House Oversight Committee following the Democratic victory in the midterm elections, launched a sharp attack on Miller's appointment later on Friday, warning of impending investigations.
"Just days after the American people rejected his corrupt and lawless presidency, Donald Trump is only doubling down on his policies," Garcia stated. "Stephen Miller is the architect of the unconstitutional ICE raids that terrorized our communities and led to the abduction and death of American citizens and immigrant families."
"Democrats on the Oversight Committee will continue to investigate Miller for his misconduct, and we will fight his policies of hate in Congress and in the courts," he added. "Stephen Miller had better get himself a lawyer."
As early as election night, once it became clear that the Democrats were on track to take control of Congress, Garcia issued a two-word warning to Trump administration officials: "Lawyer up" - alluding to the investigations expected to target senior administration figures once the new Congress takes office in January.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.