President Trump on Wednesday said he has no plans to fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell as rumors swirl about a move against the central bank boss.
Firing Mr. Powell, whose term ends in May, would be a seismic move that could rattle markets and set off a legal battle over the central bank’s independence.
“No, I’m not talking about that. Fortunately, we get to make a change in the next eight months or so,” Mr. Trump said during a meeting with Bahrain’s leader in the Oval Office. “I haven’t drafted a [resignation] letter.”
At the same time, Mr. Trump said he won’t rule out anything, claiming there could be “fraud” around a renovation plan at the Fed’s building in Washington.
He also confirmed reports that he asked GOP lawmakers whether he should fire Mr. Powell, and the lawmakers said yes.