Trump says ‘I just wanted to make a change’ as Stephen Miller replaces Susie Wiles as chief of staff

President Donald Trump has appointed longtime adviser Stephen Miller as his new White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles in a leadership change that follows Republicans' setbacks in the midterm elections.Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said he wanted a change, while praising Wiles' performance in the role. “I think Susie's done a very good job, great job, but I just wanted to make a change,” he said. “Stephen's been great. And we've got to make moves. Sometimes, sometimes in life, you have to make moves.”Trump announced the appointment in a Truth Social post, describing Miller as one of his “most trusted advisors”. Miller is due to take over the position on Monday. Wiles, who will move to the Trump Political Operation, was thanked by the president for her service.Wiles submitted her resignation to Trump on Thursday night, a US official and a senior White House adviser told CBS News. Three sources familiar with the matter linked her departure to the Republican Party's midterm losses. It was not immediately clear whether her deputies would remain in the administration.Wiles had initially planned to continue as chief of staff through Congress' lame-duck session, with her departure expected towards the end of the year or early next year. Trump brought forward that timeline.Miller has held several influential responsibilities in the administration, most notably shaping Trump's immigration enforcement and deportation policies. Trump described him as “very good politically” and a “great manager” when speaking to reporters.Wiles had managed Trump's 2024 presidential campaign before becoming his chief of staff when he returned to the White House. In an X post, she described serving in the administration as the honour of a lifetime and listed border security, tax cuts and economic policy among the administration's achievements.“While my role may be changing, my commitment to the president and the mission never will,” Wiles wrote, adding that she was grateful to the people she had worked alongside.Miller also acknowledged Wiles' departure, thanking her as “the incomparable Susie Wiles”. He said the administration's mission was “more clear than ever” and pledged to continue supporting Trump.The appointment places a central figure behind the administration's immigration agenda in one of the White House's most senior positions. Miller's promotion also signals Trump's intention to maintain his governing approach despite the electoral losses suffered by Republicans.Democratic lawmakers have strongly opposed Miller's policies, and his elevation is likely to intensify tensions as the party prepares to take control of Congress in January. The appointment comes despite Trump's recent comments that he believes he can work with the incoming Democratic leadership.House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become speaker, called Miller a “dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist”. He also said Miller's presence in government should be “eradicated like a malignant tumor”.​You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.