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The White House Chief of Staff: Power Without an Election

ホワイトハウス首席補佐官：選挙なき権力

10 November 2026

Closed briefing binders and an appointment notepad on a West Wing style corridor desk, suggesting the unelected gatekeeper role of the White House chief of staff

On November 6, just three days after the Republican Party’s defeat in the US midterm elections, President Donald Trump announced a major White House shake-up. He replaced his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, with Stephen Miller, a longtime adviser known for his hard-line immigration policies. The appointment attracted strong reactions from both parties. But what makes the position so important? Miller was not elected by the public, and his appointment required no approval from Congress. Yet he now holds one of the most influential jobs in Washington, with the ability to shape how the president makes decisions.

11月6日、共和党が米中間選挙で敗北してからわずか3日後、ドナルド・トランプ大統領はホワイトハウスの大規模な人事刷新を発表しました。彼は首席補佐官のスージー・ワイルズを、強硬な移民政策で知られる長年の顧問スティーブン・ミラーに交代させました。この任命は両党から強い反応を呼びました。しかし、この地位をこれほど重要にしているのは何でしょうか。ミラーは有権者によって選ばれたわけではなく、その任命に議会の承認も必要ありませんでした。それでも彼は今、ワシントンで最も影響力のある仕事の一つを握り、大統領がどのように決定するかを形作る力を持っています。

The White House chief of staff is often described as the president’s gatekeeper. A president receives requests from Cabinet secretaries, lawmakers, foreign leaders, military officials, and political advisers. He cannot personally handle every request or attend every meeting. The chief of staff helps decide who gets access to the president, what information reaches his desk, and which issues deserve immediate attention. The position also involves managing White House staff and coordinating work across the administration. Unlike a secretary who runs a particular government department, the chief of staff works at the center of the president’s decision-making process.

ホワイトハウス首席補佐官は、しばしば大統領の門番と形容されます。大統領は、閣僚、議員、外国の指導者、軍関係者、政治顧問から要請を受けます。すべての要請を自ら処理したり、すべての会議に出席したりすることはできません。首席補佐官は、誰が大統領にアクセスできるか、どの情報が机に届くか、どの問題が直ちに注目に値するかを決めるのを助けます。この地位には、ホワイトハウス職員の管理と、政権全体の仕事の調整も含まれます。特定の政府省庁を運営する長官と違い、首席補佐官は大統領の意思決定プロセスの中心で働きます。

Consider a disagreement over immigration policy. The Department of Homeland Security might propose a new enforcement operation, while Justice Department lawyers raise concerns about its legality. Other advisers might warn about the political consequences. The chief of staff can arrange the meetings, determine which proposals receive priority, and influence how the competing arguments are presented to the president. Once a decision is made, the chief helps ensure that officials follow through. The president still makes the final decision, but someone who controls the flow of information can have considerable influence over the choices he considers.

移民政策をめぐる意見の食い違いを考えてみてください。国土安全保障省が新しい執行作戦を提案する一方、司法省の弁護士はその合法性について懸念を示すかもしれません。ほかの顧問は政治的結果を警告するかもしれません。首席補佐官は会議を手配し、どの提案が優先されるかを決め、競合する主張が大統領にどう提示されるかに影響を与えられます。いったん決定が下されると、首席は当局者が実行に移すのを確実にするのを助けます。最終決定を下すのはなお大統領ですが、情報の流れを管理する人は、大統領が検討する選択肢にかなりの影響力を持ちえます。

What makes this authority unusual is how the chief of staff gets the job. Cabinet secretaries generally require Senate confirmation, meaning elected senators must approve their appointments. The White House chief of staff, however, is chosen directly by the president and can be replaced whenever the president wishes. The chief cannot independently pass laws, command the armed forces, or exercise the president’s constitutional powers. Much of the position’s clout comes instead from personal trust and constant access to the president. A chief who enjoys that trust may influence decisions far beyond the duties of an ordinary adviser. One who loses it may quickly become powerless.

この権限を異例にしているのは、首席補佐官が職を得る方法です。閣僚は一般に上院の承認を必要とし、選ばれた上院議員が任命を認めなければなりません。しかしホワイトハウス首席補佐官は、大統領によって直接選ばれ、大統領が望めばいつでも交代させられます。首席は、独自に法律を通したり、軍を指揮したり、大統領の憲法上の権限を行使したりすることはできません。この地位の影響力の多くは、代わりに個人的な信頼と大統領への絶え間ないアクセスから来ます。その信頼を享受する首席は、普通の顧問の職務をはるかに超えて決定に影響を与えうる一方、それを失った首席はすぐに無力になりえます。

This helps explain why Miller’s appointment matters. As deputy chief of staff, he had already played a central role in designing and coordinating Trump’s immigration policies, including large-scale deportations. After the midterm defeat, some Republicans urged the administration to adopt a less confrontational approach. Nebraska Republican Congressman Don Bacon, for example, criticized the appointment, while Democratic leaders expressed strong opposition. Trump and his supporters, however, praised Miller’s loyalty and ability to get things done. Choosing him suggested that Trump intended to double down on much of his existing agenda rather than soften it in response to the election results.

これは、ミラーの任命が重要な理由を説明する助けになります。副首席補佐官として、彼はすでに大規模な強制送還を含むトランプの移民政策の設計と調整で中心的な役割を果たしていました。中間選挙の敗北の後、一部の共和党員は政権に、より対立的でない取り組みをとるよう求めました。たとえばネブラスカ州の共和党下院議員ドン・ベーコンは任命を批判し、民主党の指導者たちは強い反対を表明しました。しかしトランプとその支持者は、ミラーの忠誠心と物事を成し遂げる能力を称賛しました。彼を選んだことは、選挙結果を受けて政策を和らげるのではなく、既存の議題の多くにさらに踏み込む意図をトランプが持っていることを示唆していました。

The appointment may also affect Trump’s relationship with Congress. When Democrats take control of both chambers in January 2027, Trump will need their cooperation to pass many laws and approve new spending. Suppose Democrats offer to support a spending bill in exchange for changes to immigration policy. As chief of staff, Miller could influence which proposals are brought to Trump’s attention, who takes part in negotiations, and whether the White House considers a compromise. He could advise Trump to accept a deal or reject it, but he could not make that decision himself. His influence depends on how much the president trusts his judgment. This is what makes the position unusual: someone who has never been elected to public office can help shape national policy, not through independent constitutional powers, but through his access to the person who holds them.

この任命はまた、トランプと議会の関係にも影響しえます。民主党が2027年1月に両院の支配を握ると、トランプは多くの法律を通し新しい支出を承認するために彼らの協力を必要とします。民主党が移民政策の変更と引き換えに支出法案の支持を申し出たとしましょう。首席補佐官として、ミラーはどの提案がトランプの注意を引くか、誰が交渉に参加するか、ホワイトハウスが妥協を検討するかに影響を与ええます。彼はトランプに取引を受け入れるか拒むかを助言できますが、その決定を自ら下すことはできません。彼の影響力は、大統領がどれだけ彼の判断を信頼するかにかかっています。この地位を異例にしているのはここです。公職に一度も選ばれたことのない人が、独自の憲法上の権限を通じてではなく、それを持つ人物へのアクセスを通じて、国家政策を形作るのを助けられるということです。

Vocabulary

  1. shake-up — A major change in the people, organization, or management of a company, government, or other institution. Example: The prime minister announced a Cabinet shake-up after several ministers resigned.
  2. gatekeeper — A person who controls access to someone important or decides which people or information can reach them. Example: The president’s senior adviser acted as a gatekeeper, deciding which officials could meet with him.
  3. present — To explain, describe, or show information or an argument to someone for their consideration. Example: The two departments presented different proposals to the president before he made his decision.
  4. follow through — To complete an action or carry out a plan or decision after agreeing or promising to do it. Example: The government announced major reforms but struggled to follow through on its promises.
  5. clout — The power or influence that a person or organization has, especially in politics or business. Example: Although she held no elected office, the president’s adviser had considerable political clout.
  6. confrontational — Behaving in a way that creates or encourages conflict rather than seeking agreement or cooperation. Example: The minister’s confrontational approach made negotiations with opposition lawmakers more difficult.
  7. get things done — To achieve practical results by successfully completing tasks or making plans happen. Example: The new manager earned a reputation for getting things done, even when projects involved several departments.
  8. double down on — To become even more determined to continue or strengthen a policy, decision, or course of action, especially when it faces criticism. Example: Despite growing public opposition, the government doubled down on its controversial economic reforms.

Comprehension Questions

  1. What makes the appointment of the White House chief of staff unusual?
    1. The chief of staff must win a nationwide election before taking office.
    2. The chief of staff is appointed directly by the president without requiring congressional approval.
    3. The chief of staff is selected by the Supreme Court.
    4. The chief of staff must first serve as a Cabinet secretary.

    ホワイトハウス首席補佐官の任命を異例にしているのは何ですか？

  2. Why is the White House chief of staff often described as a gatekeeper?
    1. The chief of staff has the power to approve or reject all laws passed by Congress.
    2. The chief of staff personally commands the country’s military forces.
    3. The chief of staff determines which political party controls the White House.
    4. The chief of staff helps control access to the president and the information and issues brought to his attention.

    ホワイトハウス首席補佐官がしばしば門番と形容されるのはなぜですか？

  3. How might a chief of staff influence a presidential decision about immigration policy?
    1. By deciding which proposals receive priority, arranging meetings, and influencing how different arguments are presented.
    2. By independently changing immigration laws without the president’s approval.
    3. By overruling the Supreme Court whenever a policy faces legal challenges.
    4. By taking direct control of the Department of Homeland Security’s constitutional powers.

    首席補佐官は、移民政策についての大統領の決定にどのように影響を与えうるでしょうか？

  4. What is the main source of a White House chief of staff’s political clout?
    1. An independent constitutional power to issue executive orders.
    2. A guaranteed position that cannot be taken away by the president.
    3. Personal trust and frequent access to the president.
    4. The power to appoint members of Congress.

    ホワイトハウス首席補佐官の政治的影響力の主な源は何ですか？

  5. Why could Stephen Miller’s appointment affect negotiations between Trump and the Democratic Congress?
    1. Miller can force Congress to approve every presidential proposal.
    2. His appointment automatically removes the need for congressional approval of spending.
    3. He can independently make agreements that legally bind the president.
    4. He can influence which proposals Trump considers and whether the administration is willing to negotiate or compromise.

    スティーブン・ミラーの任命が、トランプと民主党議会の交渉に影響しうるのはなぜですか？

Discussion Questions

  1. The White House chief of staff can have enormous political influence without being elected or confirmed by the Senate. What are the advantages of allowing a president to choose close advisers freely, and what problems might arise from giving unelected advisers so much influence?

    ホワイトハウス首席補佐官は、選出も上院承認もなしに、巨大な政治的影響力を持ちえます。大統領が側近を自由に選べることの利点は何でしょうか。また、選出されていない顧問にこれほど大きな影響力を与えることで、どのような問題が生じうるでしょうか？

  2. A chief of staff acts as a gatekeeper, deciding who can meet the president and what information reaches him. How could this role improve presidential decision-making? Under what circumstances might it prevent the president from hearing important information or opposing views?

    首席補佐官は門番として振る舞い、誰が大統領に会えるか、どの情報が届くかを決めます。この役割は大統領の意思決定をどう改善しうるでしょうか。どのような状況では、重要な情報や反対意見を大統領が聞くのを妨げうるでしょうか？

  3. Cabinet secretaries generally require Senate confirmation, while the White House chief of staff does not. What does this difference suggest about the relationship between democratic accountability and the president’s need for trusted personal advisers?

    閣僚は一般に上院の承認を必要としますが、ホワイトハウス首席補佐官は必要としません。この違いは、民主的な説明責任と、信頼できる個人的顧問への大統領の必要との関係について、何を示唆しているでしょうか？

  4. Stephen Miller is known for his confrontational approach to immigration policy. After a major electoral defeat, what factors should a president consider when deciding whether to appoint a close ideological ally or someone more willing to compromise with political opponents?

    スティーブン・ミラーは移民政策への対立的な取り組みで知られています。大きな選挙敗北のあと、近い思想的同盟者を任命するか、政治的反対者とより妥協しやすい人物を任命するかを決めるとき、大統領はどのような要因を考慮すべきでしょうか？

  5. The chief of staff can influence which proposals are considered and how negotiations are conducted, even though the president makes the final decisions. If a major government policy fails, how should responsibility be divided between the president and the advisers who helped develop and implement it?

    最終決定を下すのは大統領であるにもかかわらず、首席補佐官はどの提案が検討され、交渉がどう行われるかに影響を与ええます。大きな政府政策が失敗した場合、大統領と、その策定・実施を助けた顧問のあいだで、責任はどのように分けるべきでしょうか？

Speaking Practice

One-Minute News Briefing

Imagine you are explaining the role of the White House chief of staff to a Japanese colleague who knows little about the US political system. Give a short explanation of approximately one minute, covering the following points: How the White House chief of staff is appointed and why the position is unusual. What the chief of staff does as the president’s gatekeeper. How the chief of staff can influence policies without having independent constitutional powers. Why Stephen Miller’s appointment may matter for Trump’s relationship with Congress. Try to use at least three expressions from today’s Vocabulary.

1分ニュース・ブリーフィング。米国の政治制度をほとんど知らない日本人の同僚に、ホワイトハウス首席補佐官の役割を説明しているつもりで話してください。およそ1分で、次の点をカバーしてください。ホワイトハウス首席補佐官がどう任命され、地位が異例なのはなぜか。大統領の門番として首席補佐官が何をするか。独自の憲法上の権限なしに政策にどう影響を与えうるか。スティーブン・ミラーの任命がトランプと議会の関係にとって重要なのはなぜか。今日のVocabularyから少なくとも三つの表現を使ってください。