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President Donald Trump tapped Stephen Miller to succeed Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff, elevating an adviser who reportedly helped develop plans to advance his agenda without congressional approval as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress in January.
Miller, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought and White House lawyers have worked since April to identify executive actions Trump could take without new legislation, including measures on immigration, tariffs, housing costs and federal spending, Reuters reported Sunday, citing three people familiar with the planning.
With Democrats set to control Congress in January, Trump will face greater obstacles to passing legislation, while Democratic lawmakers will gain the power to launch investigations into his administration.
“If crazed Democrats want to abuse their power and politicize their process of investigations, subpoenas, and destroying lives, they should be reminded that we still control the federal government and all of its powers,” a White House official told Fox News Digital Friday afternoon.
‘LAWYER UP’: DEMS IMMEDIATELY PUT TRUMP ON NOTICE AMID REPUBLICANS’ MIDTERM BLOODBATH
White House deputy chief of staff for policy and US homeland security advisor Stephen Miller (R) speaks as US President Donald Trump delivers his 100th Day in office achievement speech at Macomb County Community College Sports Expo Center in Warren, Michigan, on April 29, 2025. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP) (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images) (JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
Asked by CBS on Tuesday how he would advance his agenda if Democrats took control of Congress, Trump cited the Supreme Court’s June ruling in Trump v. Slaughter, which expanded his authority to remove certain federal officials.
“We won the Slaughter case and the Slaughter case gives the president tremendous powers that it never had before,” Trump told CBS in the interview.
TRUMP TOUTS ‘ULTIMATE POWER’ OF VETO IF DEMOCRATS WIN CONTROL OF HOUSE AND SENATE
In Trump v. Slaughter, the Supreme Court handed Trump a significant victory on presidential authority in June, ruling that he had the constitutional power to remove former Federal Trade Commission Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter despite a federal law restricting the president’s ability to fire FTC commissioners.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller speaks during a press briefing on ‘restoring common sense’ in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 1, 2025. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump said the ruling will be a cornerstone for how he intends to govern by executive action. He also discussed vetoing bills passed by the Democratic Congress until they’re willing to come to the bargaining table.
On numerous occasions, he has already referred to himself as “Mr. Veto.”
TRUMP REVIVES RARE BUDGET MANEUVER TO RESCIND $810M IN CONGRESSIONALLY APPROVED FUNDS
“As the President has said, he’s willing to work with anyone to continue delivering victories for hardworking Americans,” White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital. “If Democrats choose to pursue sham investigations and radical left policies, they are choosing to work against the American people.”
Republicans on the Hill expressed concerns about what Miller’s appointment could mean for the final two years of his presidency.
U.S. President Donald Trump wraps up an appearance at a campaign rally at Pinnacle Bank Expo Center on the Nebraska State Fairgrounds on October 05, 2026 in Grand Island, Neb. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
MIKE JOHNSON’S NO 2 LAUNCHES GOP TAKEOVER BID AS HOUSE FALLS TO DEMOCRATS
Asked whether Miller’s promotion could lead Trump to rely more heavily on executive action, one House Republican told Fox News Digital: “I’ve been concerned about that for two years.”
“I’m also concerned [Trump] will embrace his populist roots that are not conservative to pass things with the Dems,” the lawmaker said.
TRUMP CONGRATULATES DEMOCRATS AFTER DOMINANT MIDTERMS, SAYS HE LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM
Another said the Trump administration will continue governing “without Congress, as they’ve been doing.”
The U.S. Capitol building is seen on Aug. 7, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
STEPHEN MILLER SAYS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS PURSUING POLICY TO DEBANK ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
A Trump administration official praised Miller’s appointment, particularly given Miller’s immigration bona fides.
“A great pick,” the official told Fox News Digital. “He has the trust of millions of Americans who understand that reversing mass migration is the crisis of our time.”
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Miller will begin his new role Monday, and Wiles will move to Trump’s political operation.
