Donald Trump picks Stephen Miller as chief of staff after midterm losses

President Donald Trump has chosen Stephen Miller to take over as White House chief of staff following substantial Republican losses in the midterm elections, NBC News reported.

Miller, who has served as deputy chief of staff and is known as the key architect of the administration's hard-line immigration policies, will assume the position on Monday. Susie Wiles tendered her resignation on Thursday evening, according to an administration official. Trump made the public announcement on Truth Social on Friday afternoon.

The leadership change comes directly after Democrats secured wide majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. According to exit polling conducted by NBC News, 57 percent of voters believed the administration's immigration enforcement efforts had gone too far, while 23 percent considered them appropriate and 21 percent felt they had not gone far enough.

The transition from Wiles, a veteran political operative, to Miller indicates Trump plans to double down on his core political base during the remaining two years of his term. Observers anticipate the appointment will create an even more combative relationship between the executive branch and congressional Democrats.

Congressional Democratic leaders quickly condemned the promotion. Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader poised to become speaker, labeled Miller an extremist on social media and demanded his immediate dismissal. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that the selection demonstrated Trump had failed to learn from the midterm defeat, pledging that upcoming Democratic majorities would challenge Miller at every stage.

Miller, who has worked closely with Trump since his first presidential bid, expressed his commitment online, writing that he intends to fight intensely to back the president and defend the country. He also extended thanks to Wiles for her friendship and dedicated work.

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon welcomed the appointment, describing Miller as deeply knowledgeable about administration priorities and ready to take charge immediately. Allies of the president noted that Miller is viewed internally as an effective operative who will aggressively handle congressional inquiries directed at the White House.

The sudden reshuffling follows assurances Trump gave only weeks earlier. In mid-October, Trump had dismissed speculation about administrative changes, telling NBC News that Wiles would remain in her post until the conclusion of his term.