Congress is back after GOP's midterm defeat. And, Trump appoints new chief of staff

What the report says

Congress is returning to session after Republicans suffered a midterm defeat, with only a short window left before control of the chamber changes hands. In its newsletter preview, NPR World says lawmakers are facing a compressed period in which they are expected to take up key business while political attention also shifts toward the transition ahead.

The same NPR item says President Donald Trump has appointed Stephen Miller as his new chief of staff. According to the publication’s framing, the move suggests Trump is preparing to take a more confrontational posture toward political opponents as he organizes his next phase in office.

The report does not provide additional detail on the congressional agenda, the timing of the personnel change, or Miller’s specific responsibilities. Still, the developments are notable because they point to a period of transition in Washington: one branch of government is nearing a shift in control while the incoming Trump team appears to be consolidating its leadership around a close adviser known for hard-line policy positions.

More broadly, the combination of a lame-duck Congress and a new White House chief of staff signals a fast-moving political reset, with implications for legislation, staffing, and the early direction of the next administration.