WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that any decision on whether to sue Kevin Warsh, Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, for not lowering interest rates would ultimately rest with the president. This revelation follows comments made by Trump at a private Alfalfa Club dinner, where he suggested he might threaten legal action against Warsh if interest rates remain high, a remark he later characterized as a joke.
The light-hearted nature of Trump's comments is under scrutiny from officials such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who questioned Bessent during a Senate Banking Committee hearing. The incident is indicative of the heightened tensions surrounding the Federal Reserve, particularly following Trump's criticism of current chair Jerome Powell, whom he initially appointed in 2017 and later attacked for increasing interest rates.
As concerns about the Fed's independence grow, Sen. Thom Tillis from North Carolina expressed reluctance to support Warsh’s confirmation until investigations into Powell conclude. Without Tillis’ backing, Warsh’s nomination faces considerable hurdles in the Senate committee.
During the committee hearing, Warren pushed Bessent to assure that Warsh would not face investigation or lawsuits from the Justice Department based on the president's remarks. Bessent's response—that the matter was up to the president—sparked a heated, albeit comedic exchange.
Some Senate Republicans have expressed unease with the administration's approach to the Fed, fearing it threatens the institution's operational autonomy. This sentiment was echoed by Senators like Tim Scott, who emphasized that incompetence should not be equated with criminal behavior, highlighting the complex political dynamics surrounding financial governance.
