Congressional Democrats denounce Trump's choice of Miller as chief of staff
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Democratic leaders in Congress denounced President Trump’s appointment of Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff on Saturday, days after voters ended the Republican Party’s control of both chambers in the midterm elections.
Chuck Schumer, expected to become Senate majority leader, said Mr. Trump “learned nothing from his historic defeat” and “couldn’t have made a worse choice” in elevating Mr. Miller. The top Democrat in the House, Hakeem Jeffries, called Mr. Miller “a dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist who has American blood on his hands” and demanded he be fired. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois wrote that “for Trump to promote this hatemonger shows he has learned nothing.” Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland called the decision “another kick in the teeth to the American people” and “a sign of Trump’s contempt for the voters.” Gavin Newsom, the outgoing governor of California, called Mr. Miller “one of the most vile thugs to ever slither into the Oval Office” and the move “an insult to every American who voted for change” on Tuesday.
Mr. Trump announced Friday on Truth Social that Mr. Miller, the current deputy chief of staff, would become chief of staff starting Monday, Nov. 9. Susie Wiles submitted her resignation Thursday night in a mutual decision driven by Tuesday’s results, for which the president had blamed her, Axios reported. Democrats won control of the House and Senate, flipping seven Senate seats from Republican to Democratic.
Mr. Miller, an author of the right-wing Project 2025 policy blueprint, designed the administration’s mass deportation program and founded the litigation group America First Legal. He has argued publicly for ending birthright citizenship and suggested the United States could invade Greenland.
Republicans largely rallied behind the choice. White House communications director Steven Cheung called Mr. Miller “a Trump OG” and said “there is no bigger advocate for the Trump agenda than Stephen.” Sen. Mike Lee of Utah called him “a staunch defender of law and order against illegal invasions and leftist lawlessness.” Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri said Mr. Miller “understands exactly what is at stake.” Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised his record. Rep. Marlin Stutzman, an Indiana Republican who held his seat, broke with the president over the appointment.
A Trump adviser told Axios the president “needs to prepare for war with the Democrats in Congress with all their investigations they’re going to launch, and Stephen is a wartime adviser.” Mr. Miller takes over the West Wing on Monday.