Tillis made the remarks during an interview with CNN presenter Jake Tapper on the programme The Lead on Friday, 6 November 2026. His comments followed Trump’s announcement that Miller would replace outgoing chief of staff Susie Wiles, with the appointment scheduled to take effect on Monday, 9 November.
The North Carolina senator argued that the Republican Party’s poor performance in the midterm elections was partly connected to its failure to communicate its immigration and border policies effectively. He said Republicans had lost support among Hispanic voters, particularly over concerns surrounding immigration enforcement and the administration’s homeland security policies.
Tillis pointed out that Miller had played a leading role in shaping the Trump administration’s immigration and homeland security agenda. He questioned why the president would promote someone closely associated with those policies at a time when the Republican Party was facing criticism over its election performance.
The senator also described Miller as a highly partisan and divisive political figure, arguing that his appointment could make it more difficult for the White House to establish productive relations with Democratic lawmakers. He questioned whether Miller would be able to serve as a bridge between the administration and the incoming Democratic majorities in Congress.
Tillis further described the appointment as a “colossal mistake”, saying President Trump should reconsider the decision. He warned that the administration would face a different political environment when the new Congress begins its work in January 2027, making cooperation and negotiations more challenging.
His criticism is significant because it comes from within the Republican Party, rather than from the Democratic opposition. Tillis has previously criticised some of Trump’s advisers and administration policies, and his latest comments highlight disagreements among Republicans over how the party should respond to its midterm election setbacks.
Meanwhile, Miller has been one of Trump’s closest political advisers and a central figure in the administration’s immigration policy. His promotion is expected to attract further attention as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress and scrutinise the administration’s policies.
The debate over Miller’s appointment now raises questions about the direction of the Trump administration, particularly its immigration strategy and its approach to working with political opponents. The White House has yet to demonstrate how the incoming chief of staff will address the concerns raised by Republican lawmakers such as Tillis.
