Stephen Miller delivered a fiery loyalty pledge to Donald Trump during his first speech since being named the president’s next chief of staff. Speaking Friday at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, Miller promised [1] his “unwavering commitment and total devotion” to Trump’s success.
Trump announced Friday that Miller would assume the powerful White House position on Monday, November 9, 2026. Susie Wiles, the outgoing chief of staff, will move to the Trump Political Operation following a bruising midterm election defeat for Republicans.
Miller used his remarks to praise Trump’s record and describe his own service alongside the president. He recalled joining Trump’s political operation in 2015, when Trump descended the golden escalator to launch his campaign.
“It was the privilege of a lifetime to join President Trump all the way back in 2015 when he came down that golden escalator and let me tell you, if it was not for President Trump, the United States of America would not exist right now,” Miller said to applause.
Miller declared that Trump had rescued the country, military, economy and border from disaster. He also invoked the assassination attempts against Trump and the legal cases brought against him during his years in politics.
“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,” Miller said.
Stephen Miller just gave his first speech as Chief of Staff to the crowd at @CPAC Mar-A-Lago.
He is READY and committed to our nation and our President.
I am READY for the era of @StephenM as Chief of Staff! https://t.co/xVuIslH9tr
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarino) November 7, 2026 [2]
Despite the midterm “blue tsunami” that knocked Republicans out of power, Miller urged the party to remain firmly behind Trump. He called becoming chief of staff the honor of his lifetime and personally promised Trump absolute loyalty before ending with a handshake.
Supporters across the Trump administration quickly celebrated the promotion. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr described Miller as a strong supporter of the Make America Healthy Again agenda and revived a phrase with a notorious political history.
“Next to me, Stephen Miller is the strongest MAHA supporter in the administration. It’s time to unleash the Kraken,” Kennedy wrote on social media. The phrase became infamous in 2021 after far right streamer Anthime “Baked Alaska” Gionet used it while encouraging Trump supporters to enter the Capitol on January 6.
Next to me, Stephen Miller is the strongest MAHA supporter in the administration. It’s time to unleash the Kraken.
— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) November 6, 2026 [3]
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth also congratulated Miller and pledged his department’s backing. Vice President JD Vance called Miller “an amazing patriot,” predicted he would do “great things” and described the promotion as “well deserved.”
Huge CONGRATS to @StephenM — a true patriot and America First fighter.
He never backs down — and the @DeptofWar is right there with him. https://t.co/lC6YNySOS2
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) November 6, 2026 [4]
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!
— JD Vance (@JDVance) November 6, 2026 [5]
Liberals predictably erupted over Miller’s ascent.
They’re calling it the shortest-lived celebration of all time.
Democrats were so happy a few hours ago.
I wonder what changed. https://t.co/mN9bbyBQ53
— Bad Hombre (@Badhombre) November 6, 2026 [6]
Leftist commentator Krystal Ball called the appointment “a giant FU” to voters and claimed it showed Trump had no interest in moderating or working with congressional Democrats.
Trump making Stephen Miller Chief of Staff is a giant FU to the entire country that just voted against their barbarism, cruelty and hate. 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.
— Krystal Ball (@krystalball) November 6, 2026 [7]
California Governor Gavin Newsom labeled Miller a “vile thug” and attacked his record on immigration. Congressman Robert Garcia, who has promised investigations of Trump administration members, warned that Miller “should lawyer up.”
Donald Trump just promoted one of the most vile thugs to ever slither into the Oval Office.
This is an insult to every American who voted for change on Tuesday.
Stephen 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.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) November 6, 2026 [8]
“I will tell you what: Stephen Miller has a lawyer, and it’s me. It’s me and the entire Department of Justice.”
Attorney General Todd Blanche tells @IngrahamAngle that he and the DOJ will stand behind Miller after Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia warned the incoming White House chief of staff to “lawyer up” ahead of expected House Oversight investigations.
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 7, 2026 [9]
Trump defended his selection while traveling to Mar-a-Lago, calling Miller a great fighter who had remained loyal from the beginning. “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.
In his Truth Social announcement, Trump identified Miller as the administration’s current deputy chief of staff and one of his most trusted advisers. He also praised Wiles for doing an outstanding job and thanked her for her service.
The circumstances surrounding Wiles’ departure produced competing accounts. Trump told reporters he wanted a change, while a senior White House official told the Daily Mail that Wiles “gave her resignation last night.”
Miller thanked Wiles in a statement on X and said he was honored beyond words to serve as Trump’s White House chief of staff. He declared that the mission was now to fight with everything available to support Trump and defend the republic.
Wiles issued her own farewell on X, calling service in the White House the honor of a lifetime. She praised the administration’s work on the border, taxes, the economy and the America First agenda while expressing gratitude to her colleagues.