#TrumpVsPowell The conflict between Donald Trump and Jerome Powell centers around the Federal Reserve's interest rate policies and Trump's desire to influence or potentially fire Powell. Here are the key developments ¹:
- *Tensions Escalate*: Trump's administration is studying options to remove Powell, with Trump criticizing him for not cutting interest rates and calling him "too late and wrong."
- *Powell's Stance*: Powell maintains that he cannot be legally removed before his term ends in May 2026 and has no intention of stepping down.
- *Interest Rate Disagreement*: Trump wants lower interest rates, citing global trends, while Powell's Federal Reserve has kept rates steady between 4.25% and 4.50% since December.
- *Tariffs and Economy*: Powell warned that trade tariffs pose a serious risk to the American economy, potentially accelerating inflation and dampening economic growth.
- *Historical Context*: Trump appointed Powell as Fed Chair in 2017, but their relationship has been strained, with Trump seeking to replace him in 2018 over rising interest rates.
*Key Quotes:*
- Trump: "always TOO LATE AND WRONG" and called for Powell's "termination".
- Powell: emphasized the need for caution due to ongoing uncertainty, particularly around tariffs and government measures.