House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) swiftly condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to elevate Stephen Miller to White House chief of staff, calling the longtime immigration adviser a “dangerous xenophobe” and demanding his removal from the administration.
“Stephen Miller is a dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist who has American blood on his hands,” Jeffries wrote Friday. “His presence in government should be eradicated like a malignant tumor. Fire him today.”
Jeffries’s criticism comes just days after Democrats scored sweeping victories in the 2026 midterm elections, reclaiming majorities in both chambers of Congress. The New York Democrat, who won reelection Tuesday, is positioning himself to remain as the top House Democrat as he vies for the speakership when the party takes control of the chamber next year.
Trump announced Friday that Miller, who has served as deputy White House chief of staff and homeland security adviser, would take over as chief of staff beginning Monday. Miller has been one of the central architects of Trump’s hard-line immigration agenda, dating back to the president’s first administration.
“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.
The president also said that outgoing chief of staff Susie Wiles would move to the “Trump political operation,” praising her work in the administration.
The promotion drew a chorus of condemnation from senior Democrats, who cast the decision as evidence that Trump intends to stand firm on the policies voters rejected rather than recalibrate following the Republican Party’s midterm losses.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Trump had learned nothing from the elections, calling Miller the architect of the administration’s “most barbaric, inhumane policies.”
“Trump couldn’t have made a worse choice,” Schumer said. “Our Democratic majorities will fight him every step of the way.”
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) similarly accused Trump of refusing to listen to voters, saying the appointment showed the president was doubling down on the administration’s policies and personnel despite the election results.
“Days after Americans nationwide historically rebuked the Trump Administration’s excesses, cost increases, and chaos, President Trump is making it clear he is refusing to listen,” Reed wrote. “Instead, it appears he is doubling down on the disastrous policies and personnel that voters resoundingly rejected.”
Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) argued that Miller’s promotion signaled Trump had no intention of changing course on immigration or foreign policy. He criticized Miller’s role in shaping the administration’s immigration enforcement and his defense of U.S. military operations abroad.
“Trump’s elevation of Stephen Miller to White House Chief of Staff doubles down on the politics of hatred, lawlessness, and failure that the American people soundly rejected three days ago,” Beyer wrote.
Stephen Miller to replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff
The top Democrat on the House oversight committee, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), said congressional Democrats would continue investigating Miller and challenge his policies in Congress and the courts.
“Stephen Miller should lawyer up,” Garcia said, referencing his election night catchphrase.