# Stephen Miller Ends Recusals Following Wife’s Career Changes Katie Miller resigns from SpaceX and ends media contracts to clear potential conflicts. - **Source:** [The Atlantic – Politics](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3aec3ec9-830a-4f3a-a800-5282755e4f07 ## Chief of Staff Policy Shifts Stephen Miller, the newly appointed White House chief of staff, is now free from previous recusal requirements. These restrictions were initially mandated by White House counsel to prevent conflicts of interest regarding his wife Katie Miller’s professional activities. The change follows a series of strategic career moves made by the couple this weekend. ## Divestment of Corporate Ties Katie Miller has officially severed her employment with SpaceX and sold all her company stock. She also forfeited rights to future equity that had not yet vested under her contract. These actions were taken to eliminate potential ethical concerns that previously barred her husband from participating in specific artificial intelligence and space policy discussions. ## Termination of Media Contracts Beyond her role at SpaceX, Katie Miller ended a separate contract with Paramount regarding a planned podcast project. She also announced the winding down of her current podcast show. These decisions were framed as a prioritization of family life, though they effectively remove remaining obstacles to her husband’s full participation in administration policy. ## Previous Ethical Boundaries White House lawyers had previously determined that podcast sponsorships from entities seeking official favor did not require formal recusals. Unlike consulting arrangements, these sponsorships were viewed as having different ethical significance. However, the complete cessation of these media activities now removes even those potential points of contention for the chief of staff. ## Context of Professional History The Millers met during the first Trump administration while both served in official capacities. Katie Miller previously worked as a press secretary for Vice President Pence and later as an adviser to Elon Musk. During the recent transition, she also advised Robert F. Kennedy Jr. before joining the White House as a special employee. ## Public Scrutiny and Corruption This career shift occurs amid heightened public sensitivity regarding potential improper influence within the White House. Recent allegations from former advisers regarding lobbying efforts have intensified the focus on ethics. Public perception of government corruption has reached a two-decade high, with 89 percent of adults viewing it as widespread in recent polling. ## Strategic Administrative Alignment Stephen Miller spent his first weekend as chief of staff at Mar-a-Lago coordinating with President Trump. Their discussions focused on navigating the next two years with a divided Congress. By clearing these ethical hurdles, the administration aims to ensure the chief of staff can engage fully in all upcoming legislative and policy matters. ## Implications for Future Governance The removal of these recusals signals a shift toward consolidating authority within the White House leadership. By eliminating external financial ties, the administration seeks to mitigate vulnerability to corruption allegations. Observers will now watch how Stephen Miller utilizes his unrestricted status to influence key policy areas like artificial intelligence and space regulation. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/11/stephen-miller-katie-ai-stock/689356/?utm_source=feed — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._