Trump elevates immigration hardliner Stephen Miller to White House chief of staff

President Donald Trump has named Stephen Miller as his next White House chief of staff, elevating the deputy chief of staff and immigration-policy strategist to one of the most powerful positions in the administration. Miller, 41, will replace Susie Wiles on Monday, according to Trump’s announcement. Trump said Miller was “one of my most trusted advisors” and praised his political instincts and management ability.

Wiles, who had held the post since Trump’s inauguration, will move to the president’s political operation. The change follows a sweeping Republican defeat in the midterm elections, after which Democrats are expected to control both the House of Representatives and the Senate from January. BBC analysis described the appointment as a possible sign that Trump is preparing for confrontation rather than compromise with the incoming Democratic majorities.

Miller has been one of Trump’s longest-serving advisers. He joined the 2016 campaign as a speechwriter and strategist, later becoming an influential voice behind the administration’s immigration rhetoric and enforcement policies. In Trump’s second term, he has served as deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser.

His work has included helping direct the mass-deportation programme. Reports from DW and Al Jazeera say Miller advocated a daily target of at least 3,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests. He has also supported expanded enforcement against migrants with long-standing ties to the United States and defended controversial government operations.

Miller has drawn fierce criticism from Democrats and some Republicans. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries called him a “dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist,” while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Miller was responsible for what he described as the administration’s most inhumane policies. Democrats have pledged to oppose him and investigate his role when they take control of Congress.

The appointment also comes amid debate within Republican circles over whether the party should moderate its immigration enforcement after the election. Vice-President JD Vance has suggested that enforcement could focus more heavily on businesses employing undocumented labour. Miller’s promotion, however, points toward continuity with the administration’s existing approach.

Wiles described her White House service as the honour of a lifetime. Trump praised her work and said she would continue contributing through his political operation. Her departure ends the tenure of a staff chief widely credited with maintaining discipline in a West Wing that had experienced staff upheaval during Trump’s first presidency.

Miller has also defended the administration’s foreign-policy positions, including military operations in Venezuela and against suspected drug-trafficking operations. His new role will give him greater control over access to the president, the White House agenda and negotiations with a Congress soon to be led by Democrats.