Numerous political pundits are describing the results of this week’s midterm elections as a massive voter repudiation of the Trump administration.
The drubbing Republicans took at the hands of the Democrats — who took control of both the House and the Senate by wide margins — has apparently caused President Donald Trump to rethink staffing in the White House.
On Friday, November 6, a huge change hit Trump’s his Oval Office support system, with the exit of his chief of staff and the installation of a new one.
Susie Wiles Out, Stephen Miller In
The New York Times reports that Susie Wiles, who’s held the role of White House chief of staff since Trump began his second term in January 2025, will be exiting the job.
Coming in as her replacement will be Stephen Miller, a longtime aide to the president who’s been responsible for orchestrating the administration’s hardline approach to immigration.
“The move is the first major personnel shuffling after the midterms, and came after Trump voiced fury at the strategy that led to Republicans decisively losing majorities in the House and Senate, people familiar with the matter said,” according to a CNN report.
Sources tell CNN that Wiles submitted her resignation on Thursday night. Miller, who’d been serving under Wiles as deputy chief of staff, will assume the job on Monday, November 9.
Speaking with reporters on Friday, Trump explained that Wiles would be moving out of the White House for a new role with his external political operations.
After praising Wiles for having done “an outstanding job,” he likewise heaped praise on her incoming replacement.
“Stephen’s been great, and sometimes in life, you gotta make moves,” Trump said.
“Stephen’s been with me from beginning. He gets it, very good politically, and he’s a very good man,” the president added.
Wiles submitted her resignation on Thursday evening, two sources familiar with the matter said, and the president announced that the move would take effect Monday.
A Quick Resignation
According to CNN, Trump’s mood is growing darker by the day after the disastrous showing for Republicans in the midterms.
“That sour mood has spread throughout the West Wing, which has become increasingly factionalized in recent days,” notes CNN, with insiders claiming that Trump quickly began attributing the election results to Wiles’ failures as chief of staff. As it became increasingly clear just how disenchanted he’d grown with her, Wiles reportedly decided to resign before she was fired.
“It wasn’t worth her staying in a job Trump was making clear he didn’t want her in,” a source told CNN.
Meanwhile, with the controversial and polarizing Miller set to take over the job, White House observers are wondering what kind of changes will be implemented under his leadership.
“Susie keeps the trains running on time,” said one White House official. “I don’t know what this looks like moving forward.” Another source described Wiles’ exit as “catastrophic loss” for Trump.
However, there have also been those who’ve applauded the switch.
“Trump got his MAGA mojo back,” an official at the Department of Homeland Security official observed.
However, one top Democrat is promised Miller will not have an easy ride in his new role.
“Stephen Miller should lawyer up,” Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) — who will become head of the powerful House oversight committed warned in a statement, via The New York Times.
Susie Wiles Out After Midterm Defeat, Stephen Miller New White House Chief of Staff