In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has publicly escalated his criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, reigniting a feud that began with Powell’s nomination in 2017 . Trump’s calls for aggressive interest‑rate cuts and threats to dismiss Powell have raised legal questions, unsettled financial markets, and prompted crypto investors to reassess risk and opportunity .
Background of the Feud
President Trump first expressed frustration with Jerome Powell’s monetary policy in 2019, accusing the Fed of restraining economic growth by keeping rates too high despite tariff‑related headwinds . In April 2025, Trump renewed his attacks, stating Powell’s “termination cannot come fast enough,” and warning that if he wanted Powell out, “he’ll be out of there real fast” .
Despite Trump’s displeasure, Powell has repeatedly affirmed the Fed’s independence and insisted he would not resign if ordered to do so . ECB policymaker François Villeroy de Galhau publicly praised Powell as an “exemplary central banker” for resisting political pressure, highlighting the importance of central bank autonomy .
Legal and Economic Implications
Under the Federal Reserve Act, the President can only remove a Fed Chair “for cause”—generally limited to misconduct or incapacity, not policy disagreements . Legal experts note that attempts to fire Powell over rate‑cut disputes would likely face judicial challenge and undermine confidence in U.S. monetary governance .
Economists warn that politicizing the Fed could destabilize bond markets, trigger higher borrowing costs, and erode the credibility of U.S. economic policy . Markets briefly wavered on news of Trump’s threats, with Treasury yields and equities showing increased volatility .
Impact on Cryptocurrency Markets
Political pressure on central bank policy often pushes investors toward alternative assets. Crypto analysts argue that threats to Powell’s tenure could validate Bitcoin’s narrative as “digital gold,” boosting demand for decentralized stores of value . Indeed, on Good Friday, Bitcoin held firm around $94,000 despite the political noise, suggesting resilient crypto sentiment .
However, crypto prices have shown mixed reactions in recent weeks. While some traders view Fed uncertainty as a bullish catalyst, others warn of pullbacks if traditional markets sell off first . Industry voices like Anthony Pompliano caution that firing a Fed Chair would set a dangerous precedent, potentially spooking both crypto and fiat investors .
What Crypto Investors Should Do
Stay informed on macro developments—central bank moves and political statements can swiftly ripple through markets .
Maintain diversified positions: consider blending stablecoins, blue‑chip tokens, and staking strategies to weather volatility .
Use on‑chain data (e.g., whale wallet movements) to gauge real‑time sentiment shifts and adjust exposure accordingly .
