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By Ali Bianco
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Presented by
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With help from Eli Okun and Irie Sentner
Good Saturday morning. This is Ali Bianco, in the driver’s seat after a major week with the midterms and now, with the White House. Get in touch.
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DRIVING THE DAY |
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The GOP is recovering after historic losses across once-thought reliably red territories where voters this week delivered an overwhelming rejection of the direction of the country, two years into the second Trump administration.
But all signs point to President Donald Trump staying the course — doubling down on the same agenda for his final two years and leaving any party-wide soul searching after the midterms out of the West Wing.
There’s no bigger signal the Trump administration is preparing for battle against a Democratic Congress than his appointment of Stephen Miller, his longtime ally and adviser, to become his new chief of staff. Miller has been one of the strongest hands driving the president’s policies since his first campaign, but he’s also a staple of the White House’s bullish, aggressively patriotic and at times combative outward image, online and on TV.
“I can’t think of any better wartime consigliere than Stephen Miller,” GOP operative Caroline Wren told Playbook’s Megan Messerly and POLITICO’s Sophia Cai.
How we got here: Katie Miller, Stephen’s wife, lobbied people for weeks to call Trump to vouch for her husband if they believed the president would be naming a new chief of staff, Playbook’s Dasha Burns and Will Steakin scooped.
Trump had privately floated Bill Pulte, Sergio Gor and others for the post. But Katie Miller’s calls intensified after Republicans’ midterms blowout this week, as Trump grew frustrated with his chief of staff Susie Wiles. The calls about a possible replacement unfolded even as the White House denied Trump would replace Wiles, following reporting from Playbook last month.
Miller stepping into the top job at the White House, after years helping to craft Trump’s executive orders and top-down agenda, comes as the administration has pushed the limits of executive power and often faced rebuke in court. As chief of staff, Miller is poised to continue helping Trump test the boundaries of sweeping executive orders — especially with his allies locked out of power on the Hill.
Miller’s appointment is already setting off confrontation with Democrats. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who’s expected to ascend to the speakership in the next Congress, called Miller a “dangerous xenophobe and reckless extremist” whose “presence in government should be eradicated like a malignant tumor.” Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), in line to chair House Oversight, advised Miller to “lawyer up.”
It wouldn’t be Miller time either without what immigration advocates and mass deportation devotees are expecting will be an expanded crackdown of ICE’s cross-country operations, which for the latter half of this year have exited from the public eye even as arrest levels have continued to break records, POLITICO’s Eric Bazail-Eimil and Myah Ward write with your author.
Miller has architected Trump’s mass deportation operations and has pushed DHS to log thousands of arrests a day. He’s been among the most steadfast advocates for the crackdown that sparked nationwide protests following two Americans' deaths. Many voters uniformly rejected Trump’s immigration agenda at the ballot box on Tuesday: Polls showed immigration was one of the major factors behind not only Democratic turnout, but also many Latino voters swinging back toward Democrats.
Despite that, his allies say Miller should take ICE operations to the next step: “The worksite amnesty is over,” said Mike Howell, of the Mass Deportation Coalition. DHS officials say they’ve heard of no plans to slow down operations.
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A message from OpenAI:
Supporting the blind community with ChatGPT.
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Some of the administration’s biggest voices came out swinging to support Miller — perhaps none more than Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who shared a series of posts on X with a simple message: “Stand. Fight. Defend the Republic.” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tabbed Miller as “the strongest MAHA supporter in the administration” behind him and called to “unleash the Kraken.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X: “I look forward to continuing to work” with Miller.
But with Miller’s elevation and no sense of any real lessons learned from the midterms by the White House, the GOP reckoning further down Pennsylvania Avenue looks considerably harder to do without drawing Trump’s ire. Many Republicans are resigned to the coming collision course between the White House and Congress — and they’re wondering how they can break with Trump after green-lighting his agenda for the last two years, POLITICO’s Meredith Lee Hill reports.
How did bruised House Republicans take the news? When informed by POLITICO’s Sam Benson that Miller was now chief of staff, one House Republican replied: “Please tell me you’re lying to me right now, just to get a reaction.”
When lawmakers arrive back to D.C. next week, Republicans will almost immediately be tested with a war powers resolution on Iran — which many, including VP JD Vance, have credited with their losses — and whether to impeach Hegseth via articles of impeachment this week. They’ll also face leadership elections Tuesday, which looks likely to be a referendum on how much the current leadership should be to blame for the midterms bloodbath.
It’s also their last chance to push forward the administration’s legislative agenda while in the majority, as well as Speaker Mike Johnson’s final weeks with the gavel. But one thing is certain even as the White House remains bullish and as Miller steps up, Meredith writes: There’s deep anger stirring as many Republicans believe something does need to change.
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LISTEN TO THIS: In a special weekend episode of the Playbook Podcast, Dasha and Megan detail the maneuvering that led to Miller’s ascension to chief of staff and unpack the power struggle inside the West Wing, Wiles’ downfall and what Miller’s promotion means for the next two years of Trump’s presidency. Listen and subscribe on Apple or Spotify
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A message from OpenAI:
 
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9 THINGS THAT STUCK WITH US
1. THE WILES WAY: Susie Wiles’ exit from the White House, after being a key driver of Trump’s return to power, isn’t inspiring solely goodwill. Former federal health official Calley Means took shots at Wiles during his appearance on the “Joe Rogan Experience” yesterday, saying it was Wiles who withheld support for his more MAHA-policies, NYT’s Christina Jewett and Sheryl Gay Stolberg report. Her exit is also likely to stir consternation on K street, after lobbyists and key figureheads for major companies made a habit of turning to her when they saw no other option to change a Trump administration policy, WSJ’s Brian Schwartz reports.
2. WAR REPORT: Trump’s advisers have notified him that his window for renewed operations in Iran is closing, and that he needs to act before a new Congress takes power in January, NBC’s Courtney Kube and Gordon Lubold scoop. There are cost and resource allocation questions too: The continued deployment of a large number of troops in the Middle East would be useful in the case of a major military campaign, but is not necessary for a limited operation. Trump received his latest update on Thursday, and he has not made a decision. But VP JD Vance has spent the last several weeks in indirect talks with Iran trying to get a new ceasefire, in a push to get the U.S. out of a conflict that he blamed for the party’s poor showing on Tuesday, Axios’ Barak Ravid reports.
The man behind the war department: Hegseth is facing attacks on all sides, from rivals inside the White House to Democrats warning him to lawyer up. And not unlike the administration, he’s digging in, POLITICO’s Paul McLeary and colleagues write, posting a nearly six-minute video on social media Thursday laying out his accomplishments as Defense Secretary. “I can tell you that there’s a lot of questions about Hegseth,” Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), who leads the House Oversight Committee, told NewsNation on Friday. “We have no idea what the strategy is moving forward on Iran.”
3. HEALTH CHECK: “The Short, Unhappy Marriage of MAHA and the GOP,” by Catherine Kim and colleagues for POLITICO Magazine: “Credited with helping to propel Trump to victory in 2024, and expected to sweep into Washington with him, MAHA issues were priorities in few federal races, and related PACs never became the kind of political money machine that could help elect movement-friendly lawmakers. … Even before the votes were counted, figures across the MAHA ecosystem — from Kennedy confidants to the grassroots activists — were declaring the movement’s 2026 experiment in building a reliable Republican voting bloc a disappointment. Now, they’re looking for what’s next.”
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Raphael Warnock predicts a blue Mississippi
In the latest episode of On the Road, Sen. Raphael Warnock sits down with Jonathan Martin in Atlanta to make his case for investing in Mississippi, South Carolina and other Southern states as Democrats look to build a lasting majority.
Watch now.
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4. LEADERSHIP DEBATE: Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) is sending a letter asking GOP leaders to set a conference meeting and talk about pushing back their leadership elections, per POLITICO’s Jordain Carney. He has enough signatures to force the meeting and is proposing it at 9 a.m. Tuesday, but the GOP still expects elections to be held the same day. Meanwhile, Democratic members and members-elect have been bombarded with calls for them to not support Jeffries for speaker in January, even as most House Democrats are poised to back him, per Axios’ Andrew Solender.
5. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is the latest potential 2028er out with a memo touting his midterms performance, POLITICO’s Lisa Kashinsky writes in. Shapiro kept it closer to home than most of his potential rivals whose endorsement sprees and travel itineraries spanned the map. But Shapiro’s theory of the case has always been about winning big in his backyard battleground. And he told Lisa in an interview that what he helped Democrats deliver in his purple state “can be a model for our party” moving forward.
Still, Shapiro insisted his upcoming legislative agenda, including passing a $15 minimum wage, is “what I'm focused on right now.” And he declined to share the contents of his chat with Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) that Playbook scooped, saying only: “Congressman Clyburn's been a friend for many years. I feel grateful for his friendship. And what they pulled off in South Carolina … is pretty remarkable.”
6. HEADING OUT: AG Todd Blanche is switching up the DOJ’s top ranks, as the department prepares for a confrontation with Congress, POLITICO’s Kyle Cheney and colleagues write. Some of the department’s most high-profile leaders announced their exit after the midterms, which were unsurprising within the DOJ and came as Blanche grew frustrated with some of the department’s leaders who were unable to land major indictments. But it also leaves the DOJ without some of its most experienced leaders just as congressional Democrats are gearing up for intense oversight investigations.
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7. 2028 WATCH: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is all over X commenting on why and how the GOP lost so badly during the midterms, and its renewing speculation (and reporting) on his political future as he prepares to exit the governor’s mansion in January, POLITICO’s Gary Fineout and Kimberly Leonard report (for Pros!). Many of DeSantis’ allies believe the midterms, and Florida largely staving off the blue wave, is paving a new lane for him to run. But DeSantis has rejected any claims he’s considering running, and an operative close to him said the only person who knows his plans “is between his two ears.”
Looking to the future: Trump has told advisers that he intends to keep fundraising for his political operation, in part to preserve his influence on the party as they look to an inevitable successor in 2028, Axios’ Alex Isenstadt scoops.
8. SPEAKING OF 2028: “Rubio could prove a potential GOP savior — but he may not escape Congress’ ire,” by POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi and Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing: “The secretary of State’s appeal to Latinos and relatively strong standing in Washington may offer Republicans, battered by this week’s midterm elections, hope that they can bridge their internal divides and hold onto the White House. … But Democratic lawmakers are likely to make [Marco Rubio] a top target for oversight and other hearings in the new Congress … staying in office for any length of time makes it more likely Democrats will pursue oversight of his actions. It also puts him at a potential disadvantage compared with some 2028 hopefuls who have never served in the administration.”
9. GENERATIONAL CHANGE: “He’ll Be Clerk of One of the Country’s Largest Counties. He’s 19,” by NYT’s Mack Liederman: “If you live in Arizona’s Maricopa County, Sebastian Matta will soon be in charge of your court records, restitution payments, child support, wills and marriage licenses, among other filings. For now, though, he’s a sophomore at Arizona State University, with a reflection paper about a jury trial due this month. That’s because Mr. Matta is 19.”
CLICKER — “The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics,” edited by Matt Wuerker — 16 funnies
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TALK OF THE TOWN |
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SPOTTED: President Donald Trump addressed supporters at the CPAC Summit last night at Mar-a-Lago with new WH chief of staff Stephen Miller. Instavid
HEALTH UPDATE — Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) has been released from the hospital after suffering a stroke last week but will miss “several weeks” of Senate votes, he said in a statement. He remains in touch remotely with his staff and colleagues, per Jordain.
PLAYBOOK REAL ESTATE SECTION — The battle over where to put FBI headquarters continues, and with Democrats now taking control of Congress, Maryland’s Democrats are preparing to ramp up their lobbying efforts to move the FBI into Prince George’s County, per Washington Business Journal’s Ben Peters and Hannah Ziegler.
TRANSITIONS — Harmeet Dhillon is returning to Dhillon Law Group as a managing partner, leading national litigation initiatives on fighting corporate DEI efforts and ideological discrimination. She most recently was assistant AG for civil rights. … Sen.-elect Troy Jackson (D-Maine) rolled out his transition committee, which comprises BJ McCollister as chair, Christine Kirby as deputy chair, and Hilary Barrett and Dan Gottlieb as aides. … Sen.-elect Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) unveiled some top staff hires: Rachel Petri as chief of staff and Kari Thurman as state director. …
… Tennessee Gov.-elect Marsha Blackburn announced her transition team: Stuart McWhorter as chair, Abigail Sigler as senior adviser, Dylan Miller as staff director, Rex Purgason and Jack Carnes as deputy staff directors, Annie Rogers as director of operations, Todd Rapp as press secretary, Jensen Blackiston as executive assistant to Blackburn and Katie Tully as executive assistant to McWhorter.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Reps. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Susie Lee (D-Nev.), Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas) and Rick Allen (R-Ga.) … Michael Kratsios … Sheila Nix of the Mobile Voting Project … Lawrence O’Donnell … NBC’s Jen Friedman … Pat Devlin … Brad Woodhouse of Protect Our Care … José DÃaz-Balart … The Washington Sun’s Elena Schneider … RTO Insider’s Sean Reilly … The Bulwark’s Lauren Egan … Kate O’Connor Harper of Comcast … Donald Kohn … Brunswick Group’s Siobhan Gorman … Aanchal Sahay of Planned Parenthood … former Sen. Rudy Boschwitz (R-Minn.) … Caroline Tabler … former CIA Director David Petraeus … George Thompson of FleishmanHillard … Jeff Bjornstad … Allison Rivera of Bunge … Liz Allen … American Conservation Coalition’s Patrick Burland … POLITICO’s Alex Remington
THE SHOWS (Full Sunday show listings here):
CBS “Face the Nation”: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) … Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.) … Rep.-elect Nancy Lacore (D-S.C.).
NBC “Meet the Press”: Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton (D-Kan.) … Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) … Florida Gov.-elect Byron Donalds … Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Panel: Ashley Etienne, Jonathan Martin and Marc Short.
FOX “Fox News Sunday”: AG Todd Blanche … NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Panel: Michael Allen, Dasha Burns, Karl Rove and Juan Williams.
CNN “State of the Union”: Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton (D-Kan.) … Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) … Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.). Panel: Reps. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) and Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), Hogan Gidley and Van Jones.
Fox News “The Sunday Briefing”: Jason Miller … Alex Bruesewitz … Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) … Rep Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) … Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry … Billy Bush.
MS NOW “PoliticsNation”: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) … New Mexico Gov.-elect Deb Haaland … Georgia AG-elect Tanya Miller.
PBS “Compass Points”: Willy Lowry … Nadia Bilbassy-Charters … Misha Komadovsky … Gustau Alegret.
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A message from OpenAI:
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Today, they use ChatGPT to move their mission forward. It helps them analyze fundraising data and build a website for Thrive Blind, their initiative connecting young blind people with training and career opportunities. It’s also part of everyday life: they can point their camera at a menu and hear answers to their questions in real time.
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For the brothers, ChatGPT is a tool for pursuing their ambitions and helping others pursue theirs. Explore their story.
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