Executives from Wall Street are reportedly urging officials at the White House, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, to step into the escalating tensions between President Trump and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. This situation, which has caught the attention of many in the financial world, is unfolding rapidly, as On The Money has discovered.
The friction between Trump and Powell stems from differing views on interest rates. Despite being appointed by Trump during his first term, Powell has frequently clashed with the president. In a recent development, Powell announced his intention to remain at the Federal Reserve even after his term concludes. This comes in light of the Trump administration’s refusal to cease an investigation into the costly renovations at the Fed’s headquarters.
Powell has consistently pointed out, both publicly and in private discussions, that he has a right to his seat on the Federal Reserve’s policy-making board until 2028. Speaking at a press conference, he remarked, “Regarding my future role as a governor after my current term and the investigation, I haven’t decided yet. My decision will hinge on what I believe is best for the institution and those we serve.”
President Trump, however, is eager for Powell’s immediate departure. This ongoing feud is causing significant concern on Wall Street, where the potential for prolonged market instability looms large, especially with the ongoing tensions with Iran. The nomination of Kevin Warsh as Powell’s successor is currently stalled amid this controversy. North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, has vowed to withhold his vote on any new Fed chair nominee unless the investigation into Powell is dismissed.
As one influential financial executive with White House connections described the situation, “This is self-destructive and dumb.”
Another high-ranking executive shared with On The Money, “This issue is extremely significant. Powell will consider stepping down if Trump’s investigations are halted. Otherwise, he plans to remain as a governor. Bessent is actively working to find a solution.”
On Thursday, Trump suggested the investigation should continue and chided Powell again for not being more aggressive in lowering rates.
White House Spokesman Kush Desai told On The Money: “The White House remains focused on working with the Senate to swiftly confirm Kevin Warsh as the next Chairman of the Federal Reserve. Warsh’s academic credentials, private sector success, and prior experience on the Fed Board of Governors make him eminently qualified to restore confidence and competence in Fed decision-making,”
A spokeswoman for Bessent had no comment. A spokesman for Powell referred to comments previously made by the Fed chair on the matter.
It is customary for public officials to leave government agencies entirely after losing confidence from the commander-in-chief. But Powell is insisting that Trump and his DOJ investigation is seeking to erode the Fed’s long-held position as an independent body from the White House fiscal policy goals.
Powell’s supporters on Wall Street — and that means the majority of top executives running banks and major financial institutions — believe the investigation led by Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, was politically motivated to force him out of office before his Fed chair term ends in May as well as pressure him to cut rates despite inflationary pressures.
By staying at the Fed as a governor after he steps down as chairman, Powell could thwart the president from asserting control over the policy making board once Warsh takes over.
At issue is Powell’s congressional testimony on the renovation of the Marriner S. Eccles building, billed the “Taj Mahal on the National Mall,” that is costing $2.5 billion. Powell has said he did nothing wrong, and his supporters point out that the project wouldn’t be the first to face cost overruns in Washington; his critics in Congress say he underplayed the extravagance of the project.
“Once Pirro publicly ends the investigation, yes he will leave. Until then, no,” one top Wall Street executive added.
