Trump appoints Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff, drawing bipartisan criticism

President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that Stephen Miller would replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff. The decision came days after the midterm elections, in which Democrats won control of both houses of Congress.

Democratic leaders condemned the appointment. Senator Dick Durbin called Miller a “hatemonger,” while Senate Majority Leader-designate Chuck Schumer said Trump “learned nothing from his historic defeat.” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described Miller as a “dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist,” and Senator Chris Van Hollen said the move was “another kick in the teeth to the American people.”

Republican officials offered contrasting praise. White House communications director Steven Cheung called Miller a “Trump OG” and said there is “no bigger advocate for the Trump agenda.” Senators Mike Lee and Eric Schmitt defended Miller as a defender of law and order and a necessary voice for the country’s challenges. Several cabinet members, including JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also expressed support.

Not all Republicans backed the choice. Indiana Representative Marlin Stutzman said Miller “should be fired,” and former DHS chief of staff Miles Taylor warned that the appointment is “among the most dangerous personnel decisions in the history of our republic.”

The White House issued a statement praising Miller’s role in the administration’s crime-crackdown, deregulation, energy policies, and border security, and said he will continue to deliver “historic successes for the American people.”