Bulwark Takes Loomer As Fed Chair? Don’t Laugh–It Could Happen!
Nov 19, 2025
Catherine Rampell, an insightful economics reporter, joins Andrew Egger to discuss Trump's alarming threats to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. They delve into the risks of political interference in monetary policy and its potential to destabilize inflation and the economy. Rampell highlights historic examples, like Turkey and Venezuela, showcasing the dangers of politicizing rate decisions. They also explore why markets remain surprisingly calm despite these threats, suggesting factors like AI-driven stock gains may be at play.
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Trump's Open Pressure On The Fed
- Donald Trump openly threatened to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell and pressured officials to cut rates.
- That public pressure risks undermining the Fed's perceived independence and price stability.
Kennedy Center Rant About Powell
- During a Kennedy Center speech Trump joked about firing Powell and criticized his competence.
- He publicly shamed Powell while signaling impatience with current rate policy.
Markets' Calm Through A Trusted Intermediary
- Scott Bessent was positioned as the markets' calming presence amid fears Trump would remove Powell.
- His role may hollow the Fed's independence if nominees signal political loyalty over policy expertise.