Trump removes Susie Wiles as Chief of Staff, hands key White House role to Stephen Miller

US President Donald Trump has announced a major change in his White House team, appointing Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller as the next Chief of Staff after Susie Wiles decided to step down. The announcement comes days after Republicans suffered a major setback in the midterm elections, triggering speculation over a possible reshuffle within the administration.

Trump announced the appointment on Saturday through a post on Truth Social, confirming that Miller would assume the role from Monday, November 9, 2026. Wiles, meanwhile, will move to the Trump Political Operation after serving as the first woman to hold the influential White House position.

"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. 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," Trump said.

Trump denies reshuffle linked to election defeat

Speaking to reporters before departing for Florida on Friday, Trump praised Miller's political understanding and management skills.

"Stephen has been with me from the beginning. He gets it; very good politically," Trump said. "He'll do a great job. Great manager.”

However, he rejected suggestions that the decision was prompted by the Republican Party's poor electoral performance.

“Not because of the election. It's just time," Trump said. "Sometimes you change. The election wasn't my election. I wasn't on the ballot.”

Who is Stephen Miller?

Miller, 41, is among Trump's closest advisers and currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff and homeland security adviser. He joined Trump's 2016 presidential campaign as a speechwriter and has since become one of the key architects of the administration's immigration policies.

Before joining Trump's team, he worked with former Republican Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, who later became the first attorney general of Trump's initial presidency.

Susie Wiles thanks Trump after exit

Wiles described her tenure as an honour and said her commitment to Trump would remain unchanged.

"Serving President Trump in the White House has been the honour of a lifetime," she wrote.

Vice President JD Vance also congratulated Miller, calling him an "amazing patriot" and describing the appointment as a well-deserved promotion.