US President Donald Trump has appointed Stephen Miller, a longtime loyalist and architect of his hardline immigration policies, as the new White House chief of staff following the Republican Party’s heavy losses in both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections.
Miller will replace Susie Wiles, the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff, who submitted her resignation on Friday. Wiles is expected to return to overseeing Trump’s political operations. Miller will assume his new responsibilities on Monday, Reuters reported.
No Sign of Policy Shift
Despite voters’ rejection of Trump’s domestic and foreign policies in the midterm elections, the administration appears to be showing little willingness to compromise or change course.
Miller’s promotion, at the age of 41, signals that the White House is preparing for an increasingly confrontational political battle with Democrats rather than pursuing a more conciliatory approach.
Democrats Condemn Appointment
Democrats have sharply criticised the appointment. House Democratic leader-designate Hakeem Jeffries described Miller as a “reckless extremist”.
Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said Miller’s controversial immigration policies would face congressional scrutiny.
Garcia also warned that Miller should consider hiring lawyers in anticipation of potential investigations.
Who Is Stephen Miller?
Miller has been one of the most influential advisers to Trump during both his first and second presidential administrations.
He has been a central figure in shaping the administration’s aggressive immigration agenda, including setting a target of 3,000 immigrant arrests per day, a policy that sparked widespread controversy across the United States.
He also played a key role in efforts to restructure the federal bureaucracy and dismiss thousands of government employees.
Beyond domestic policy, Miller has been a strong advocate of military action against Iran and US military operations in the Caribbean.
A New Political Battle in Washington
Miller’s appointment comes as Democrats prepare to intensify congressional investigations into the Trump administration and use their control of Congress to challenge its policy agenda, including through budgetary oversight.
By placing a trusted and combative loyalist at the centre of the White House, Trump appears to be preparing for a more aggressive political confrontation with his opponents in Washington.
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