Wiles exits White House, Miller takes over
Trump replaced his chief of staff after Democrats captured both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections.
By Matthew Collins ·
President Donald Trump removed White House chief of staff Susie Wiles on Friday and named Stephen Miller as her replacement. The change in leadership occurred immediately following the midterm elections, where Democrats seized control of both the House and the Senate. Trump announced the switch in a social media post on Friday, stating that Miller would assume the duties on Monday.
Wiles will leave the White House to join the Trump political operation. When asked about the decision as he departed the White House on Friday, Trump said he wanted to make a change and credited Wiles with doing a good job. However, sources told ABC News that Trump privately blamed Wiles for the party's losses in the midterms. Once that sentiment became clear, Wiles decided to submit her resignation, which she did on Thursday night.
Wiles confirmed her departure in a social media statement, calling her time in the role the honor of a lifetime. She wrote that while her role is changing, her commitment to the president and the mission remains constant. Wiles was the first person Trump named to his staff after winning the 2024 election. She became the first female to hold the position of White House chief of staff.
Trump praised Wiles in his initial appointment statement, noting that she helped him achieve a major political victory. He described her as an integral part of his successful 2016 and 2020 campaigns. As recently as three weeks ago, Trump publicly defended her position. He told reporters in October that Wiles was here to stay for a long time.
Miller is a longtime political adviser and a hardliner on immigration policy. He served as deputy chief of staff during the current administration. In the first Trump term, Miller crafted immigration policies that resulted in the separation of thousands of families at the border. After leaving the White House in 2021, he became the head of America First Legal. The organization challenged the Biden administration in court over immigration rules and secured a victory when a federal judge struck down a program designed to keep families together.
Wiles is a Florida native who previously advised Republican leaders, including Sen. Rick Scott and Gov. Ron DeSantis. She served as campaign manager for Trump's entire 2024 run. She was known for running a tight ship and staying out of the media spotlight. In 2025, she gave a series of interviews to Vanity Fair, describing the president as having an alcoholic's personality. She also noted that she had been outvoted on issues such as the Day 1 pardons for Jan. 6 rioters.
Wiles was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in March 2026. She announced in September that she was cancer-free. Miller will report to the White House on Monday. The transition follows the historic midterm results that shifted the balance of power in Washington.
