President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is nominating Kevin Warsh to serve as the next chair of the Federal Reserve, ending months of intense speculation over who would replace current Chair Jerome Powell.
In a post on social media, Trump revealed his selection of Warsh, a former Fed governor, to lead the central bank when Powell’s term as chair expires in May. The nomination requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate.”
Trump interviewed several high-profile candidates before settling on Warsh. Among those considered were top White House economist Kevin Hassett, BlackRock executive Rick Rieder, and current Fed Governor Christopher Waller. The decision comes amid ongoing tensions between the White House and the Fed, particularly over interest rate policy, with Trump repeatedly calling for lower rates to support economic growth.
Warsh, 55, brings extensive experience in monetary policy and finance. He served as a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors from 2006 to 2011, having been nominated by President George W. Bush, where he was one of the youngest governors in the institution’s history. During his tenure, he participated in the Fed’s response to the 2008 financial crisis.
Currently, Warsh works at the Duquesne Family Office, the investment firm of renowned investor Stanley Druckenmiller. He is also a fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, a conservative-leaning think tank. Warsh has publicly expressed support for reducing interest rates, aligning with Trump’s stated preferences for more accommodative monetary policy to stimulate the economy.
The nomination revives a familiar name from Trump’s first term. In 2017, Warsh was considered for the Fed chair position but was ultimately passed over in favor of Powell.
If confirmed, Warsh would take the helm of the world’s most influential central bank at a time when the Fed has faced criticism from the administration for its handling of interest rates and perceived resistance to political influence. Warsh has been described in various reports as a critic of certain aspects of the Fed’s recent approach, though he has also defended the institution’s independence in the past.
Market observers are closely watching the pick, given its potential implications for interest rates, inflation, and broader economic policy. The announcement has already sparked reactions across political and financial circles, with some praising Warsh’s experience and others raising concerns about the Fed’s future direction.
The Senate confirmation process is expected to be closely scrutinized, as it could shape the central bank’s trajectory for years to come. Warsh’s background in both Wall Street and government service positions him as a bridge between traditional central banking and the current administration’s economic priorities.This nomination marks one of the most significant economic appointments of Trump’s second term, signaling the president’s intent to exert greater influence over monetary policy. Further details on the confirmation timeline and potential hearings are anticipated in the coming weeks.
MacDailyNews Take: After the current befuddled chair, there’s tons of room for improvement at the Fed!
Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you!
Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon.
