Washington, 7 November, 2026 (Ghufran): US President Donald Trump has appointed his longtime political ally and hardline adviser Stephen Miller as the new White House Chief of Staff, replacing Susie Wiles following the Republican Party’s defeat in the midterm elections, which resulted in Democrats gaining control of both chambers of Congress. The appointment places one of Trump’s most influential advisers in charge of the White House operations at a critical political moment, as the president prepares to deal with a Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and Senate and the prospect of extensive congressional investigations. According to White House officials, Miller’s elevation reflects Trump’s decision to maintain an aggressive political and domestic policy approach rather than moderate his administration’s course after the electoral setback. Trump announced the decision in a social media post on Friday, describing Miller as one of his “most trusted advisers” and praising Wiles for her outstanding service. The appointment will take effect on Monday, November 9, while Wiles, who submitted her resignation on Thursday night, is expected to join Trump’s political operation. Miller previously served as deputy chief of staff under Wiles and played a prominent role in Trump’s first administration from 2017 to 2021. He returned to the White House in 2025 and became a central figure in shaping the president’s domestic agenda, particularly his immigration policies. He is widely regarded as one of the principal architects of Trump’s strict immigration crackdown, which included a target of 3,000 arrests per day and expanded enforcement operations against migrants, including those who had lived in the United States for decades. Miller’s appointment comes amid mounting political pressure on Trump following the midterm elections, which significantly weakened Republican control in Congress and complicated the administration’s ability to advance its legislative priorities. The electoral setback also followed a decline in Trump’s public approval ratings. Before the elections, the president had reportedly expressed frustration with his political and communications teams and urged aides to adopt a more aggressive approach as Democrats prepared to take control of Congress. A White House official told Reuters that Trump was rewarding his most loyal associates rather than changing his political direction. Susie Wiles, a longtime Trump adviser, had served as White House Chief of Staff since the beginning of his second presidential term in January 2025, becoming the first woman to hold the position. She was credited with bringing greater discipline and organisation to Trump’s political operation and White House team.