Stephen Miller takes over White House operations after GOP midterm losses

President Trump named Stephen Miller as his new chief of staff on Monday. This move replaces Susie Wiles and marks the first major change in White House leadership since Republicans lost control of Congress in the midterm elections. Miller previously served as deputy chief of staff and helped design many of the administration's most contentious immigration policies.

Miller rose to prominence by pushing for a wide use of executive authority. His promotion suggests Trump intends to confront the incoming opposition-controlled legislature directly. Voter data indicated that Democrats gained support partly due to public reaction against Trump's immigration enforcement tactics. This makes the decision to place Miller at the center of power a calculated risk at a sensitive political moment.

The 119th Congress is entering its final weeks. Lawmakers must keep the government funded past December 11. They plan to use a short-term continuing resolution rather than negotiate the usual 12 appropriations bills. This approach avoids the time and political capital required for a full budget deal.

Attendance will be a critical issue on Capitol Hill. Many Republicans who lost their seats may skip votes during these final weeks. The House has a margin of only two votes. Any absence puts the party's ability to manage the transition at risk. In the Senate, Republicans aim to confirm as many judges and other Trump appointees as possible before January. They know the process will slow down once Democrats hold both chambers.

NPR's Eric McDaniel noted that the lack of a clear path forward complicates the work of the remaining GOP majority. The pressure to pass key figures before the switch in power is high. Meanwhile, Trump posted on social media that he offered the press secretary role to UFC CEO Dana White. He later called the offer a joke. This incident highlights the difficulty of interpreting the president's statements without context.

In the technology sector, Nvidia launched an internal probe after reports of a close relationship between CEO Jensen Huang and a woman accused of being a Chinese spy. The New York Times reported that a Chinese intelligence operation targeted Huang to secure advanced AI chips. China denied the claims on Monday. Huang has spoken frequently with Trump and even traveled to China with him. Trump said he thinks Huang is a fine person. The House has requested a closed-door briefing from Huang regarding his contacts.

Other news includes a drop in the U.S. homeless population by more than 6 percent in 2025. This is the second consecutive year of decline according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Comedian Russell Brand faces a potential prison sentence as a London court prepares to announce his punishment. A jury convicted him on three counts of sexual assault and one count of rape. Pope Leo XIV arrived in South America on Friday for a 12-day trip to three countries.