White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles resigned from her position following a reported heated confrontation with President Donald Trump, sources close to the administration have revealed. The abrupt departure, which occurred over a turbulent 72-hour period, comes in the wake of significant Republican losses in the recent US midterm elections.
Heated Exchange in the Oval Office
According to multiple sources cited by the British tabloid Daily Mail, President Trump reportedly berated Wiles during a Thursday meeting with other aides, blaming her for the Republican rout in the midterm polls. An insider described the scene, stating, "He exploded at her." Another source claimed Trump continued to yell at Wiles until she left the room, while two others indicated she was explicitly told to leave.
White House Deputy Chief Dan Scavino and Morgan Dewitt Snow, head of the Presidential Personnel Office, were reportedly present during the argument. Dewitt-Snow, visibly rattled, left the Oval Office to be with Wiles elsewhere in the West Wing.
Wiles' Resignation and Miller's Appointment
By Thursday night, Wiles had resigned. While a White House official initially denied Trump would yell at Wiles and stated she was simply "tired" and "didn't want to keep fighting," other reports suggest Wiles was aware she was "on the chopping block" and resigned before she could be formally dismissed. President Trump initially resisted accepting her resignation, but by Friday, her last day was set for November 6.
On Friday, Trump officially announced that Stephen Miller, one of his closest and longest-serving advisers, would take over as White House Chief of Staff starting Monday. Trump publicly praised Wiles, stating she had "done an outstanding job" and would be "moving over to the Trump Political Operation." Wiles later confirmed her departure via social media.
Behind the Scenes: Blame, Leaks, and Policy Differences
The pressure on Wiles intensified after she oversaw a political operation reportedly worth $500 million, yet failed to secure victories in both the Senate and Congress. Sources close to the president also accused Wiles of trying to deflect blame for the midterm losses onto Pete Hegseth, particularly concerning his role in the Iran war. A senior Pentagon official noted, "Susie was trying to push out Pete" to save her own position.
Furthermore, Wiles was described by some as a "polarizing figure" and a "huge f***ing leaker" by former Trump officials. Resentment reportedly grew because she controlled the information reaching the President.
Policy Clashes
Beyond the political infighting, policy differences also emerged. Wiles had reportedly advocated for a less stringent immigration policy, limiting deportations to those convicted of violent crimes, and warned Republicans that mass deportation operations were costing the party votes. This stance contrasts sharply with Stephen Miller's known hardline views on immigration, signaling a potential shift in White House policy.
While Trump publicly maintained a positive tone about Wiles, sources indicate his private fury stemmed from recent leaks and his own extensive "screen time," where he reportedly saw things that "needed to change." Stephen Miller's appointment, citing his promise to help end the Iran war, signifies a new chapter for the Trump administration, with some former officials calling for a wider purge of Wiles' allies to truly resolve the administration's internal problems.