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Trump names Stephen Miller White House chief of staff as Susie Wiles moves to his political operation

President Trump named deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff, effective Monday, and thanked Susie Wiles, who is moving to his political operation. He also said he has offered the press secretary job to UFC chief Dana White.

Stephen Miller speaking at a White House podium in front of an American flag

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has named Stephen Miller, his deputy chief of staff and one of his longest-serving advisers, as White House chief of staff, with Miller taking over on Monday from Susie Wiles, who is moving to the president’s political operation.

“I am pleased to announce that Mr. Stephen Miller, the current Deputy Chief of Staff of the Trump Administration, and one of my most trusted advisors, will become the Chief of Staff starting Monday, November 9, 2026,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday afternoon, according to an archive of the post. “Susie Wiles, who has done an outstanding job, will be moving over to the Trump Political Operation. I want to thank her for her service as Chief of Staff — She has done a great job!”

A White House announcement called Miller the 33rd White House chief of staff and said he “has served alongside President Trump since the very beginning and has been a driving force behind the Administration’s major successes — driving violent crime to historic lows, securing the border at unprecedented levels, and dismantling large-scale fraud.” It said he “brings deep experience, broad institutional knowledge, and unwavering commitment to the role.” Asked about the choice later Friday, Trump told reporters, “Stephen’s been with me since the beginning. He gets it,” NPR reported.

Wiles, the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff, said in a post on X that Friday was her last day in the job. “Serving President Trump in the White House has been the honor of a lifetime. I’m so proud to have been a part of what we’ve accomplished together from securing our border and cutting taxes to strengthening our economy and putting America First,” she wrote, NBC News reported. “While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will.” NBC, citing a White House official, reported that she submitted her resignation Thursday night.

Susie Wiles, White House chief of staff, in a White House portrait
Susie Wiles, who served as White House chief of staff from January 2025, is moving to President Trump’s political operation. (Photo: The White House / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Miller spoke publicly about the new job on Friday evening with the president at his side. “It is the honor of my life to be President Trump’s chief of staff, and I swear to you, and I pledge to you, Mr President, my absolute loyalty, my unwavering commitment, and my total devotion to your success and the success of this country,” he said, according to The Guardian.

A change after the midterms

The move comes three days after Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress. Democrats have won at least 54 Senate seats, with races in Alaska and Mississippi still uncalled, and a House majority, according to CBS News projections. The new Congress is sworn in Jan. 3.

Miller, who has also served as the president’s homeland security adviser, has been a principal architect of the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda. Reuters described him as a longtime proponent of expansive presidential authority who takes the job as the administration prepares for a Democratic-led Congress and the investigations its leaders have promised.

Reaction among Republicans in Congress was mixed. Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) called the move a “horrible decision” in comments to Politico, and outgoing Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) told CNN that Miller would “have an antagonistic relationship with many,” The Guardian reported. Allies of the president, including longtime adviser Roger Stone, praised the choice, according to the same report.

Press secretary offer and possible Cabinet changes

On Saturday, Trump said he had offered the vacant White House press secretary job to Dana White, the president and chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and a longtime friend. “I am pleased to announce that the Great Dana White, a violent Fighter and Warrior, has been offered the job of Press Secretary of the United States,” Trump wrote, adding, “Dana, please take the job!” according to CBS News.

Dana White, chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship
UFC chief executive Dana White, whom President Trump said he has offered the White House press secretary job. (Photo: Justin Moore / CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), via Wikimedia Commons)

White had not said publicly whether he would accept. Asked about the offer at a boxing news conference in London on Saturday, he said, “I’m flying to Washington, D.C., right now … I’m going to meet with him, we have a meeting on Monday. So I’m sure I’ll have more to talk about after that,” CBS reported. The post has been vacant since Oct. 16, according to CBS.

Trump also signaled more personnel moves in an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes” scheduled to air Sunday. “I love my cabinet. I think they’re good. But I’ll do — be doing maybe a few changes. I don’t want to mention who,” he said, according to excerpts reported by The Guardian. Asked whether he has confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump said, “I do.”

In another excerpt released by CBS and reported by NBC News, the president said he could set aside campaign insults “very easily” for six months if it meant getting a deal done with Democrats, after Texas Sen.-elect James Talarico, a Democrat, expressed interest in working with him on immigration.

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