Stephen Miller pledged “unwavering commitment and total devotion” to Donald Trump’s success as supporters of the president’s MAGA movement welcomed his promotion to chief of staff.
Trump announced Friday that Miller would assume the influential role on Monday, while Susie Wiles, known as the White House’s “ice queen,” would move to the Trump Political Operation.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the announcement at a gathering at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, Miller praised Trump’s record and outlined his own commitment to the president.
“It was the privilege of a lifetime to join President Trump all the way back in 2015 when he came down that golden escalator,” Miller said to applause. “Let me tell you, if it was not for President Trump, the United States of America would not exist right now.”
“This man saved America. He saved our military from collapse, he saved our economy from destruction, he saved our border from annihilation and he saved our country from threats at home and abroad which would have been the end of the American dream forever.”
Miller also cited the assassination attempts against Trump and the legal battles Democrats pursued against him during his political career.
“This man took a bullet for us, he faced down life in prison for us, he saved the Republican Party from the ash heap of history and has made it stronger, more popular and more resilient than ever before,” he said.
He urged Republicans to remain firmly behind Trump despite the midterm “blue tsunami” that removed the GOP from power.
Stephen Miller pledged “unwavering commitment and total devotion” to President Trump’s success as supporters of the MAGA movement celebrated his appointment as chief of staff
Trump said Friday that Miller would take over as chief of staff on Monday, while “ice queen” Susie Wiles would move to the Trump Political Operation
“We need to stand with the man who has stood with us with every fiber of his being. It is the honor of my lifetime to be President Trump’s chief of staff, and I promise you, Mr. President, my absolute loyalty, my unwavering commitment and total devotion to your success and the success of this country,” Miller said.
Miller concluded by thanking Trump and offering the commander in chief a handshake.
Several members of Trump’s Cabinet celebrated Miller’s promotion, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who revived an infamous conservative slogan in a social media post.
“Next to me, Stephen Miller is the strongest MAHA supporter in the administration. It’s time to unleash the Kraken,” Kennedy wrote.
“Unleash the Kraken” became an infamous phrase in 2021 after far-right streamer Anthime “Baked Alaska” Gionet used it while urging Trump supporters to enter the Capitol on January 6.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, who has faced criticism, also welcomed the announcement and pledged his department’s support.
“Huge CONGRATS to @StephenM — a true patriot and America First fighter. He never backs down — and the @DeptofWar is right there with him,” Hegseth wrote.
JD Vance called Miller “an amazing patriot” who would accomplish “great things,” describing the promotion as well deserved.
Trump Cabinet members celebrated Miller’s promotion, with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reviving an infamous conservative slogan on social media
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth also congratulated Miller and promised the full backing of his department
Liberals reacted furiously to Miller’s appointment, viewing him as a driving force behind some of Trump’s most hard-line immigration policies.
“Trump making Stephen Miller Chief of Staff is a giant FU to the entire country that just voted against their barbarism, cruelty and hate,” left-wing commentator Krystal Ball wrote.
“It’s also a sign that in spite of what he said he has zero interest in moderating or working with Democrats to deliver for the people.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom called Miller a “vile thug” and described the appointment as an insult to voters who supported Democrats on Tuesday.
“Miller cooked up the sadistic mass deportation regime that ripped apart families and trampled basic civil rights. Innocent people are dead because of him. Voters rejected his cruelty and extremism. This is sick,” Newsom said.
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Congressman Robert Garcia, who has vowed to investigate every member of the Trump administration, directed a warning at Miller and said he “should lawyer up.”
As he traveled to Mar-a-Lago, Trump defended Miller when asked about the promotion and the perception of him as the president’s “wartime consigliere.”
“He’s a great fighter. He’s been with me right from the beginning… He’s very loyal. He has been an MVP every year,” Trump said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom called Miller a “vile thug” and said his appointment insulted those who voted for Democrats on Tuesday
Congressman Robert Garcia, who has promised to investigate members of the Trump administration, warned that Miller “should lawyer up”
Trump formally confirmed the White House shake-up earlier Friday.
“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. I want to thank her for her service as Chief of Staff — she has done a great job!”
The announcement came just days after Democrats’ sweeping election victory handed Trump and Republicans a significant defeat.
The scale of the Democrats’ win earlier in the week could keep Republicans from regaining a congressional majority for much of the next decade, a difficult outcome for conservatives who had urged Trump to make changes.
Although the change came as a surprise, Our News Outlet reported in June that Wiles was quietly preparing an exit plan for after the midterms. The White House denied the report at the time.
Asked about the shake-up Friday afternoon, Trump told reporters: “I wanted to make a change. I think Susie’s done a very good job, great job, but … we gotta make moves. Sometimes in life, you have to make moves.”
That account differed from a senior White House official’s version of events. The official told Our News Outlet that Wiles “gave her resignation last night.”
President Trump praised White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles for her “outstanding” work and said she had done “a great job”
While Trump publicly said he had decided a change was necessary, the official said Wiles made the decision to leave, creating uncertainty over the conflicting accounts.
Trump said Miller had “been with me from the beginning,” adding that he was “very good politically” and would “do a great job.”
“It has been the privilege of my lifetime to have served on his team from Day One, and I am honored beyond words to serve as his White House Chief of Staff,” Miller said in a statement on X. “I want to thank the incomparable Susie Wiles for her years of devoted service to the President and the Country, and for her friendship.”
“The mission now is more clear than ever: Fight with all of our soul to support our President and defend this magnificent Republic.”
Wiles shared her farewell message on X shortly after Trump announced the change.
“Today is my last day as White House Chief of Staff,” Wiles wrote Friday. “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. More than anything, I’m grateful for the extraordinary people I’ve had the privilege of working alongside.”
Her resignation followed Our News Outlet’s initial report in June that she planned to step down after the midterm elections.
Although Wiles denied that report at the time, she left just days after the election results were announced.
Wiles is the longest-serving Republican White House chief of staff and has been part of Trump’s political orbit since his 2016 campaign.
