President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he does not intend to dismiss Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, following several days of heightened criticism aimed at the central bank’s decision to hold interest rates steady.
“I have no intention of firing him,” Trump said during a press briefing in the Oval Office. “I would like to see him be a little more active in terms of his idea to lower interest rates.”
The president’s statement marked a clear de-escalation from earlier rhetoric during the Easter holiday weekend, when Trump repeatedly criticized Powell for being “too slow” in adjusting monetary policy in the face of global economic uncertainty.
Immediate Market Reaction
U.S. equity index futures jumped nearly 2% during Tuesday evening trading as markets welcomed the renewed political stability around the Federal Reserve’s leadership. The rebound came after Monday’s broad sell-off that had impacted stocks, bonds, and the U.S. dollar on the back of Trump’s prior comments.
The president’s softened stance helped to alleviate investor fears of central bank politicization or unexpected leadership changes during a period of high macroeconomic sensitivity.
Market Sensitivity to Fed Independence
Trump’s comments had sparked concerns over the Federal Reserve’s independence, a cornerstone of U.S. monetary policy. Although the U.S. president does not have unilateral authority to remove the Fed Chair without cause, markets had become jittery over the tone of recent White House remarks.
While Trump has continued to pressure the Fed to lower borrowing costs more aggressively, Tuesday’s remarks signal a temporary truce that could allow policymakers to refocus on economic data rather than political expectations, according to Reuters.
