The Guardian runs David Smith's analysis arguing that Donald Trump's choice of Stephen Miller, architect of his hardline immigration agenda, as White House chief of staff after the Democrats' midterm sweep is a defiant "middle finger" to voters rather than a gesture of humility. Smith forecasts heavier reliance on executive action and a coming fight with Democrats, who now chair House committees with subpoena power, while figures like Kurt Bardella, David Cohen and Bill Galston see the pick as a doubling down on authoritarianism.