Trump names Miller chief of staff, blames Democrats for market crash

Key points

• Stephen Miller begins as White House chief of staff on Monday, expected to intensify immigration crackdowns and cultural battles.
• Trump offered the press secretary role to Dana White, filling a vacancy left by Karoline Leavitt's departure.
• Global markets plunged, with the Nasdaq dropping 5.52% and Nvidia falling 9.26%, driven by fears over AI data center spending and Democratic opposition.
• Trump blamed the market rout on the Democratic midterm victory, posting on Truth Social that 'Dumocrats' were to blame.
• Democrats plan to investigate Elon Musk's role in federal workforce cuts and Miller's immigration policies, with Rep. Robert Garcia chairing the oversight committee.
• Attorney General Todd Blanche warned of potential investigations into Democrats, though no specific crimes were cited.

Background

This follows a series of high-level resignations from the Justice Department, including Harmeet Dhillon and John Eisenberg, immediately after the Democratic midterm victory. It also comes after a federal judge blocked further modifications to the East Potomac Golf Course, highlighting ongoing judicial friction with the administration.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian emphasizes the administration's shift to a 'bunker' approach under Stephen Miller and the immediate staffing changes. CGTN focuses on the economic fallout, linking the market crash to Democratic opposition of AI infrastructure and Trump's failed tariff and Iran war policies. Yahoo Finance highlights Trump's specific defense of data centers against Democratic governors like Gina Hinojosa. Axios's content was inaccessible due to a bot challenge, but its title suggests a focus on Trump blaming voters for the market rout. Outlets agree on the market crash and Democratic victory but differ on the primary drivers: The Guardian and Yahoo Finance focus on political and regulatory shifts, while CGTN emphasizes the economic impact of AI spending and policy inconsistency.

Why it matters

The appointment of hardliners like Stephen Miller and the threat of congressional investigations signal a period of intense political conflict and legislative gridlock. The market volatility highlights the growing economic risks associated with AI infrastructure and the potential for regulatory backlash from the new Democratic majority. These developments could lead to prolonged government shutdowns and a fragmented policy environment for the next two years.

What to watch

Stephen Miller will assume his role as chief of staff on Monday. Congressional investigations into Elon Musk and other Trump allies are expected to begin in January when Democrats take full control. The administration will likely face continued resistance to its immigration and AI policies from the new Democratic Congress and state governments.