Miller Named Chief of Staff After Republicans Lose 42 House Seats

Stephen Miller, the architect of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, begins work Monday as White House chief of staff. In his first public remarks since the appointment, he pledged "total devotion" to the president, according to The Guardian.

The move comes days after midterm elections that went badly for Republicans. Miller's allies cast him as the right person for a combative moment, while critics in both parties worry about what his promotion means for policy and for the party's standing.

What Miller said at the Friday event

Speaking beside Trump on Friday evening, Miller credited the president with saving the country's military, economy and border, The Guardian reported. He said the United States would not exist without Trump and that Trump had saved the Republican party from irrelevance, leaving it stronger and more popular than before.

Miller called the job the honor of his life and promised Trump absolute loyalty and unwavering commitment. He had been leading the administration's immigration agenda as deputy chief of staff.

The case made by Miller's supporters

Longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone and party operative Caroline Wren, both Republicans, described Miller as the president's "wartime consigliere," according to The Guardian. The Guardian reported that the description undercuts Trump's recent vague suggestions that he might work with Democrats now that they have won back control of Congress.

Trump himself, in an interview with "60 Minutes" due to air Sunday, said he loves his cabinet but expects to make a few changes. He declined to say whose jobs are affected. Asked whether he still has confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has faced questions about his future, Trump said he does, though The Guardian noted he did not credit Hegseth for what Trump called military successes.

The objections from Democrats and Republicans

The Guardian reported that Democrats and some Republicans have reacted to the appointment with dismay. Republican Rep. Marlin Stutzman of Indiana told Politico it was a "horrible decision."

Rep. Don Bacon, an outgoing Nebraska Republican, told CNN he expects Miller to have an antagonistic relationship with many people. Bacon said Miller cost Republicans seats in Texas and Arizona by alienating Hispanic voters who had backed Trump in 2024.

Where the midterm results stand

• Republicans have lost seven Senate seats as of Saturday morning, according to The Guardian. Democrats hold narrow leads in the two uncalled races, in Alaska and Mississippi.
• Republicans have lost 42 House seats and five governor races.
• Senior Republicans, including JD Vance, have blamed the losses on the Iran war and on tariffs, both central to Trump's agenda, The Guardian reported.

What's at stake

For readers, the immediate question is whether the administration's immigration policy stays on the course Miller set. The Guardian reported that his speech is likely to add to concern that the White House will continue its hardline approach, which he oversaw as deputy chief of staff.

The appointment also bears on how Trump handles a Congress that Democrats have won back. Trump has floated working with them, while Miller's allies describe a wartime footing. How those two signals reconcile has not been settled publicly.

Miller replaces Susie Wiles in the post. Last month, after reports that Trump might replace her, the president told reporters there was zero chance of that happening, The Guardian noted. The reason for the change was not detailed in the report.

What comes next

Miller starts the job Monday. Trump's "60 Minutes" interview airs Sunday, and the Alaska and Mississippi Senate races have yet to be called. Trump has said he expects some personnel changes but has not named who might be affected.

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Around Prague, based on reporting by The Guardian