Democrats blast Trump’s decision to appoint Stephen Miller as chief of staff in wake of Republican midterm rout – live

Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, who is poised to become the next US House speaker when Democrats retake the majority in the new year, called Stephen Miller “a dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist who has American blood on his hands”. Jeffries added: “His [Miller’s] presence in government should be eradicated like a malignant tumor. Fire him today.”

Representative Robert Garcia, who is poised to be the chair of the House oversight committee in the next Congress, said that his panel will “continue to investigate [Stephen] Miller for his misconduct, and we will fight against his hateful policies in Congress and the courts”, following Miller’s elevation to White House chief of staff. “Stephen Miller should lawyer up,” the congressman said in a statement.

Several Democratic lawmakers have blasted Donald Trump’s decision to appoint one of his most controversial advisers as White House chief of staff. Stephen Miller, one of the president’s pugnacious aides who crafted the administration’s hardline immigration policy agenda, is already a vocal spokesperson for the Trump White House.

Many Democrats point out that his promotion is another “sign of Trump’s contempt for the voters”, following the Republican drubbing in the midterm elections this week. The party is set to take control of both chambers of Congress for the first time in either of Trump’s terms.

“In the aftermath of an election that was a repudiation of Trump’s corruption, wars, cruelty, and indifference to the economic pain of Americans, it’s another kick in the teeth to the American people,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat. Meanwhile, Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, said that the president “learned nothing from his historic defeat”. “Stephen Miller

Susie Wiles said on social media that today (Friday 6 November) would be her last day on the job. “Serving President Trump in the White House has been the honor of a lifetime,” she wrote in a post on X. “I’m so proud to have been a part of what we’ve accomplished together from securing our border and cutting taxes to strengthening our economy and putting America First.”

She added: “While my role may be changing, my commitment to the president and the mission never will.” Wiles has been in the president’s orbit for over a decade, and prior to her role at the White House, she managed, alongside Chris LaCivita, Trump’s winning 2024 presidential campaign.

Susie Wiles is the latest Trump ally to leave the administration. While the chief of staff role is not a Senate-confirmed position, the person (arguably) has the closest proximity to the president. Wiles’ departure comes after Karoline Leavitt, the former White House press secretary left her role in August. Her successor Katie Zacharia only lasted five days before being ousted after a disastrous debut media briefing.

Stephen Miller, one of Donald Trump’s fiercest allies and architect of the administration’s deportation agenda, will now be the White House chief of staff. The role is a promotion for Miller, who currently serves as an adviser. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that Miller will start the job on Monday 9 November, less than a week after Republicans’ crushing defeat in the midterm elections.