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Politics

Stephen Miller Takes Over as White House Chief of Staff as Deputy Richard Walters Departs

Stephen Miller formally takes over as White House chief of staff on Monday, with deputy chief of staff Richard Walters leaving the administration and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries saying his party will not work with the new chief of staff.

By admin Nov. 9, 2026 · 6:59 AM ET 2 min read

The White House at dawn with the American flag flying above the North Portico and a fountain on the front lawn.

Stephen Miller formally takes over as White House chief of staff on Monday, three days after President Donald Trump announced the change. The first senior departure under the new chief of staff is already in motion: Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Walters is leaving the administration.

Walters offered his resignation on Friday, the same day Trump named Miller to replace Susie Wiles, according to Axios. The departure was described as amicable. Miller said Walters had been “an invaluable member of the White House” and had helped deliver some of the administration’s biggest victories, in a statement obtained by NewsNation. Miller added that Walters would keep helping the administration from outside the building.

An empty podium in the White House briefing room with two American flags behind it and rows of empty chairs.

Walters was a longtime ally of Wiles and the longest-tenured chief of staff in Republican National Committee history. He joined the White House in May.

Trump announced the move Friday on Truth Social, writing that Miller, then deputy chief of staff and “one of my most trusted advisors,” would become chief of staff starting Monday, November 9, 2026. Wiles, who Trump said did “an outstanding job,” will move to the Trump political operation.

Democrats say they will not work with Miller

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week” that his party would not work with Miller. “There’s not going to be any opportunity, certainly, to work with Stephen Miller and what he represents,” Jeffries said.

The United States Capitol building seen from the west lawn under a partly cloudy sky.

Jeffries, who is expected to become speaker when Democrats take control of the House in January after winning both chambers in the November 3 midterm elections, called the appointment “an awful choice” and “irresponsible.” He said Democrats would have a “firewall” in Congress against the administration.

Jeffries also said Miller “has unleashed billions of taxpayer dollars to brutalize and kill American citizens, like Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good.” Miller, a longtime Trump adviser dating to his first term, has been the main architect of the administration’s immigration crackdown.

A columned stone entrance with lighted windows at dusk, with the White House visible in the distance.

The shake-up follows a rough midterm election for Republicans, with Democrats taking the House and Senate and winning in areas where they have long struggled. How Miller runs the West Wing, and whether Walters is the only senior departure, will be the first test of the new arrangement.

Reporting based on coverage by The Hill and USA Today.

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