Donald Trump has named Stephen Miller, the architect of his administration's immigration crackdown, as White House chief of staff, a move that has drawn sharp condemnation from Democratic lawmakers and criticism from some Republicans. The appointment was announced on Friday afternoon via Truth Social, and it replaces Susie Wiles, whom Trump confirmed had been ousted from the post.
Miller is widely regarded as Trump's most trusted adviser. He has long been known as an immigration hardliner, and he has also become known for bombastic attacks on Democrats, a style that has made him one of the most polarising figures in the president's orbit. His elevation places him at the centre of the White House's day-to-day operations, although the scope of his new powers has not yet been detailed by the administration.
Critics of the pick did not hold back. Several Democratic lawmakers condemned the appointment in strong terms, with some describing Miller as a hatemonger and a xenophobe. Some Republicans also criticised the choice, and a number of critics went further, describing it as dangerous. The reaction underlines how divisive Miller's role in shaping immigration policy has been since Trump returned to office, and how far his public profile extends beyond the policy debates he has driven.
The shake-up follows the US midterm elections, a period in which the administration is weighing its next steps on policy and personnel. Wiles's departure has been accompanied by reports of corruption allegations against her, which surfaced after she was fired. The reasons she left the post have not been clearly stated by the White House, and it remains unclear whether those reports played any role in her removal. Trump's confirmation of her ouster came without a detailed explanation of the circumstances.
The appointment leaves several questions open. It is not yet clear how far Miller's authority will extend across the White House, or how it will sit alongside other senior staff. Nor is it certain whether his arrival will change the administration's approach to immigration or to its political confrontations with opponents. For now, those questions remain unanswered, and the scale of the changes that Miller's new role may bring will only become clear as the administration sets out its plans.