GOP lawmaker calls Trump’s promotion of Stephen Miller ‘a mistake’

Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) on Sunday decried President Trump’s promotion of Stephen Miller to White House chief of staff.

“I come from the business world, just like President Trump does. And you know what? If your team takes a beating as badly as we took this last week, you have to fire people,” Stutzman told CNN’s Manu Raju on “Inside Politics,” referencing the recent midterm elections. “You don’t promote those who are — who were in charge of what was supposed to be delivered.”

“I think that the decision to elect Stephen Miller is a mistake. He’s not liked out here in the Midwest by people, they don’t like his tone,” he added.

On Friday, Trump announced that chief of staff Susie Wiles was leaving the White House and Miller, a longtime adviser to the president, would take her place.

Miller’s promotion followed Republicans getting bombarded with defeats in the midterms, with the House and Senate going to Democrats.

“I am pleased to announce that Mr. Stephen Miller, the current Deputy Chief of Staff of the Trump Administration, and one of my most trusted advisors, will become the Chief of Staff starting Monday, November 9, 2026,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Susie Wiles, who has done an outstanding job, will be moving over to the Trump Political Operation,” he continued. “I want to thank her for her service as Chief of Staff — She has done a great job!”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who will most likely become House Speaker next year, on Friday called Miller “a dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist who has American blood on his hands.”

“His presence in government should be eradicated like a malignant tumor. Fire him today,” Jeffries continued in a post on the social platform X.

When reached for comment, White House spokesperson Lauren Bis said in an emailed statement that Miller “has been a key player in delivering on President Trump’s America First agenda since day one.”