President Donald Trump announced Friday that White House chief of staff Susie Wiles is stepping down and will be replaced by longtime adviser Stephen Miller, marking a major shake-up in the administration just days after Republicans suffered devastating losses in the midterm elections.

The leadership change comes after a sweeping Democratic victory Tuesday that saw Republicans lose dozens of House seats and control of the Senate, raising questions about the direction of Trump's administration heading into the final two years of his presidency.

“I am pleased to announce that Mr. Stephen Miller, the current Deputy Chief of Staff of the Trump Administration, and one of my most trusted advisors, will become the Chief of Staff starting Monday, November 9, 2026,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Susie Wiles, who has done an outstanding job, will be moving over to the Trump Political Operation,” the president continued. “I want to thank her for her service as Chief of Staff — She has done a great job!”

A White House official said Wiles submitted her resignation Thursday night.

Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House following the announcement, Trump acknowledged the need for changes.

“We’ve got to make some moves,” he said.

Wiles Faced Growing Pressure After Republican Defeats

Wiles' departure follows mounting criticism from prominent conservatives who blamed the White House's political leadership for the GOP's disastrous showing in Tuesday's elections.

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon called for Wiles to be fired during a Friday interview with British journalist Steven Edginton.

“I think that you have to look to people like Susie Wiles, the chief of staff, and the political consultants that are there … because of the results, they should be removed and removed immediately,” Bannon said.

Former Trump administration official Caroline Sunshine also demanded Wiles' resignation during a Wednesday appearance on Fox News.

“Susie Wiles needs to resign,” Sunshine told host Jesse Watters. “She needs to offer her resignation to the president before he has to ask for it. Her campaign skills have not translated into governing. Susie was behind the historic win in 2024, and she deserved credit for it and got the top job for it.”

Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney had also predicted that Wiles would leave her position following the midterms, describing the election as a natural opportunity for a leadership transition.

“It’s just a natural sort of time to make that change,” Mulvaney told NewsNation's “The Hill Sunday.”

Despite the criticism, Trump praised Wiles and announced that she would remain involved in his political operation.

Wiles confirmed her departure in a Friday post on X, calling her time in the White House the honor of a lifetime.

“Serving President Trump in the White House has been the honor of a lifetime. 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 wrote.

“More than anything, I’m grateful for the extraordinary people I’ve had the privilege of working alongside. While my role may be changing, my commitment to the President and the mission never will.”

Miller's Promotion Draws Praise From Trump Allies

Miller, one of Trump's most influential and fiercely loyal advisers, has been a central figure in the president's political movement for more than a decade.

He joined Trump's first presidential campaign in 2016 after leaving his position as an aide to then-Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) and has since become a leading voice on immigration enforcement and other administration priorities.

His promotion to chief of staff places him in one of the most powerful positions in the White House at a time when Trump faces a dramatically different political landscape.

Vice President JD Vance was among the first administration officials to congratulate Miller while thanking Wiles for her service.

Vance said he was “very grateful to Susie for her friendship and service to the president and our country.”

“Stephen Miller is an amazing patriot and will do great things. Congrats to him on a well-deserved promotion!” he added.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also celebrated the announcement, offering a “huge CONGRATS” to Miller and describing him as a patriot and America First fighter.

“He never backs down — and the @DeptofWar is right there with him,” Hegseth wrote on X.

Hegseth himself has faced questions about his future following the Republican losses, with some officials pointing to public dissatisfaction with the Iran war as a contributing factor in the election results.

Bill Pulte, the federal housing director and former acting director of national intelligence, also congratulated Miller.

“I can’t wait to work with you,” Pulte wrote.

Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt offered a particularly personal tribute to Wiles, praising her leadership and resilience.

Leavitt described Wiles as “one of the kindest and toughest people I’ve ever met.”

“She helped power the greatest political comeback in American history in 2024, and as the first woman to serve as White House Chief of Staff, she led the most productive start to a presidency in decades, even while battling breast cancer,” Leavitt wrote. “I’m proud to call her my friend and former boss.”

Leavitt also praised Trump's decision to elevate Miller, saying the president “made the perfect choice.”

She predicted Miller “will make the final two years of the President’s term a resounding success.”

Democrats Blast Trump's Choice

While Trump's allies welcomed the appointment, Democrats quickly condemned the decision, arguing that Miller's promotion signals the president has no intention of changing course after voters rejected Republicans at the ballot box.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) accused Trump of ignoring the message sent by voters.

Schumer wrote that Trump “learned nothing from his historic defeat.”

“Stephen Miller is the architect of the most barbaric, inhumane policies of this administration. Trump couldn’t have made a worse choice,” Schumer said. “Our Democratic majorities will fight him every step of the way.”

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), the incoming chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also criticized the appointment, arguing that Trump should be prioritizing economic concerns rather than elevating Miller.

“The American people are begging the White House to focus on lowering costs, but the best Trump can do is ‘more Stephen Miller and the culture of cruelty,’” Coons said.

“He just doesn’t get it,” he added.

Trump Faces New Political Reality

The shake-up represents one of the most significant personnel changes of Trump's second term and comes as the White House prepares to deal with Democratic control of both chambers of Congress.

Wiles, who helped engineer Trump's 2024 election victory, had been credited with bringing discipline to his political operation. Her departure underscores the pressure facing the administration after Republicans' midterm losses.

Miller's elevation, meanwhile, suggests Trump is turning to one of his most trusted ideological allies rather than seeking a more moderate figure to navigate the new political environment.

With Democrats preparing to take control of Congress in January, Miller will be tasked with helping steer the administration through legislative battles, congressional investigations and an increasingly difficult political landscape.

His appointment also sends a clear signal that despite Tuesday's election results, Trump is not backing away from the advisers and policies that have defined his presidency.