Trump Considers Four Candidates to Replace Fed Chair Powell

President Donald Trump is considering four candidates to replace Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May 2026, amid ongoing tensions over interest rate policies. Trump has excluded Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent from consideration, stating that Bessent prefers to remain in his current role. Among the finalists are former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett, and current Fed Governor Christopher Waller. Trump has criticized Powell for refusing to lower interest rates despite his pressure, accusing him of political motivations. Although Trump has expressed a desire to remove Powell, legal protections limit the president's ability to fire the Fed chair except for cause. Trump indicated he will soon decide on one of the four candidates to replace Powell or wait until the term expires in 2026.