President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Stephen Miller, a longtime adviser known for his hard‑line immigration stance, will assume the role of White House chief of staff, succeeding Susie Wiles. The appointment comes as the Republican Party faces a significant setback in the midterm elections, with Democrats expected to take control of both chambers of Congress in January.
Miller, 41, has been a central figure in shaping Trump’s policy agenda since the 2016 campaign. He first entered the political arena as a conservative activist at Santa Monica High School, where he criticized what he called liberal school policies on local radio. At Duke University, he led the Duke Conservative Union and defended three lacrosse players accused of rape, further cementing his reputation as a vocal defender of conservative causes.
After college, Miller moved to Washington, D.C., working as a legislative aide for Republican members of Congress and Senator Jeff Sessions. He joined Trump’s 2016 campaign in January, where he was credited with crafting the president’s messaging and sharp political style. Former adviser Steve Bannon noted in 2017 that Miller helped Trump “find his voice.”
Following Trump’s electoral victory, Miller became a key adviser and speechwriter, influencing the administration’s approach to immigration. He was instrumental in the Department of Justice’s 2018 “Zero Tolerance” policy, which led to widespread family separations at the U.S. border. The policy was later altered by executive order amid national outrage. Miller also pushed for the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which had provided legal status to many undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
During his tenure, Miller faced accusations of promoting white nationalist rhetoric. In 2019, the Southern Poverty Law Center released emails suggesting he supported white nationalist websites and ideologies. Democratic lawmakers have called for investigations into his influence within the White House, especially now that the Democratic Party will control Congress.
Trump praised Miller in a post on Truth Social, calling him “one of my most trusted advisors.” The move to elevate Miller to chief of staff signals a continued commitment to the president’s controversial policies, even as the administration faces increased scrutiny from the incoming Democratic majority.
Source: Al Jazeera
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