Who is Stephen Miller, Trump’s new White House chief of staff?

What the report says

U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed longtime aide Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles, according to Al Jazeera. The announcement was made on Friday, with Trump saying on Truth Social that Miller was one of his most trusted advisers and would begin the role on Monday. The move comes after the Republican Party suffered losses in this week’s midterm elections and as Democrats prepare to take control of both chambers of Congress in January.

Al Jazeera describes Miller, 41, as one of Trump’s closest political allies and a central figure behind the administration’s hardline immigration agenda. He has been linked to major first-term policies including the “zero tolerance” border approach that contributed to family separations, the travel ban affecting several Muslim-majority countries, efforts to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and broader visa restrictions. The article also notes past criticism of Miller from Democrats and watchdog groups over rhetoric and materials they associated with white nationalism.

Miller has stayed influential in Trump’s second administration, serving as deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser after Trump returned to office in January 2025. Al Jazeera reports that he helped drive the renewed mass deportation campaign and publicly supported aggressive immigration enforcement. The chief of staff post is usually responsible for managing White House operations and access to the president, so his promotion could further strengthen Miller’s influence over policy and internal decision-making.