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Brooks and Capehart on Trump’s White House shakeup and fallout from the midterms
David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart discussed President Donald Trump’s decision to appoint Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff after a major Republican defeat in the midterm elections. They viewed the appointment as a sign Trump intends to continue his existing approach, raising questions about whether he will respond to voters’ concerns or work with the incoming Democratic congressional majorities.
Brooks said many Republicans are privately disaffected, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis publicly described the result as a near-extinction event for the party. Capehart argued that Republican senators, including Lisa Murkowski and other moderates, may need to work with Democrats in the 120th Congress. The discussion also considered whether the Trump era is ending and how the party’s divisions could shape its future, including the 2028 presidential race.
In short
- Trump named Stephen Miller as chief of staff after a major midterm defeat.
- Brooks and Capehart said the appointment signals little change in direction.
- They discussed Republican divisions and possible cross-party work in Congress.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Choosing Stephen Miller could be defended as a decision to keep a trusted adviser who shares the president’s agenda and can carry it out consistently. After an election defeat, Trump’s supporters may argue that voters did not necessarily reject his broader programme, and that party unity and firm leadership are better responses than a sudden change of direction.
The case against
The appointment could be seen as evidence that Trump intends to persist with an approach that has just contributed to a major Republican defeat. Critics may argue that the result calls for listening to voters’ concerns and working with the incoming Democratic majorities, while Republicans who privately doubt the direction of the party should press for change rather than prioritise loyalty.