Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Stephen Miller at the White House press briefing room podium. Photo: Chip Somodevilla / Getty
Guess who's likely to stick around for all four or eight years, and will be empowered in 2018? Stephen Miller, the true-believer senior policy adviser, who trumps Trump on hardline immigration views — and may outlast almost everyone.
- The two issues Miller cares and knows most about, immigration and trade, will be front and center.
- And Miller channels (and believes) Trump campaign rhetoric more than anyone internally.
- Although some of Miller's allies speculate that he could one day wind up as chief of staff, he's seen more as an advocate and adviser than manager or leader. He works super-hard, but doesn't delegate.
Some West Wing officials are putting pressure on economic adviser Gary Cohn to stay: He would be vital to a push for a big infrastructure package, one of the year's policy centerpieces. And he's a crucial goalie on trade.
- But Wall Street sources tell us Cohn may depart.
- Deputy National Security Adviser Dina Powell — like Cohn, a major moderating influence — has said she's leaving early next year.
- Finding big establishment names to replace them will be hard, especially with the tax cut already in the win column.
- If National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster leaves in the dominoes that would follow the expected departure of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, one possible replacement is hardliner John Bolton, who was U.S. ambassador to the U.N. under President George W. Bush.
Among key advisers likely to stay:
- Chief of Staff John Kelly, who has imposed order and seems to enjoy running the place, despite occasional frustrations with the boss.
- Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who is good at engaging Trump in briefings.
- Defense Secretary James Mattis, a moderate voice in Situation Room meetings.
- Communications Director Hope Hicks, the closest adviser — period.
- Staff Secretary Rob Porter, respected for his intellect and instincts.
- Marc Short, the legislative affairs director, coming off the big tax-cut win.
- Nick Ayers, chief of staff to Vice President Pence.
Go deeper ... "Scoop: White House reshuffle expected in new year," by Jonathan Swan:
- Senior Trump administration official Johnny DeStefano is set to assume greater responsibilities and influence, including overseeing the beleaguered White House political operation."
Sign up for Axios newsletters to get our smart brevity delivered to your inbox every morning.