Trump Names Stephen Miller Chief of Staff After Midterm Losses
The new White House lead replaces Susie Wiles as the 119th Congress prepares to extend federal funding through a short-term measure.
By Ella Cox ·
President Trump appointed Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff on Monday, replacing Susie Wiles. This marks the president's first major personnel change following the Republican Party's defeat in the recent midterm elections. Miller previously served as deputy chief of staff and played a central role in shaping the administration's immigration policies, a factor that voter data suggests contributed to the Democratic gain in support.
Mara Liasson of NPR noted that the selection signals Trump's readiness to confront an opposition-controlled Congress. The president also posted on social media that he offered the White House Press Secretary position to Dana White, the CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Trump later described the offer as a joke, a move Liasson said challenges the public's ability to take presidential statements at face value.
Lawmakers in the 119th Congress face a tight deadline to keep the federal government open before funding runs out on Dec. 11. With a new Democrat-controlled House and Senate set to take office, members are expected to pass a short-term continuing resolution rather than negotiate the full set of 12 appropriations bills. This approach reflects a lack of time and political will for a comprehensive budget agreement.
Eric McDaniel of NPR warned that attendance could be a critical issue for Republican legislators who lost their seats. The party holds only a two-vote majority in the House, meaning any absences could jeopardize its ability to end its tenure on its own terms. Senate Republicans are likely to prioritize the confirmation of judges and other Trump appointees before Democrats assume control in January. McDaniel stated that such confirmations would be unlikely without significant compromises from the White House once the balance of power shifts.
In a separate development, Nvidia launched an internal investigation after reports that CEO Jensen Huang was involved in a close relationship with a woman accused of being a Chinese spy. The New York Times reported that a Chinese intelligence operation targeted Huang to send advanced AI chips to China. China denied the allegations in a press briefing on Monday, though the U.S. Embassy in Washington, D.C., has not yet received a response from the Chinese Embassy. The House of Representatives has requested a closed-door briefing from Huang regarding his interactions with the suspected intelligence asset.
Nvidia holds a leading position in the artificial intelligence sector and serves as a major component of the U.S. economy. Huang maintains frequent communication with the president and traveled to China with him. When asked about the incident, Trump said he thinks Huang is a fine person. The company believes that neither national security nor its trade secrets are compromised despite the ongoing inquiries. U.S. export restrictions currently limit the flow of advanced chips to China, a policy Huang has argued slows the growth of Chinese chipmaking and benefits America.
