A top economic adviser for President Donald Trump was forced to take cover following a barrage of pointed questions Tuesday by CNN's Kaitlan Collins.
Kevin Hassett, a conservative economist who serves as director of the National Economic Council in the Trump administration, took questions from reporters, including from Collins, who demanded to know if Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell would be the subject of a criminal probe had he cut interest rates as Trump ordered.
"President Trump and the White House Press Office has discussed that matter, I think I have nothing to add to that," he said.
Before he could finish, Collins pressed him.
"But what's your view as someone who's a successor, potentially, to replace him?" she shot back.
"I have nothing to add," he insisted.
But Collins again returned with hard questions for the Trump advisor.
"Well you said you have a high regard for him," she said. "So do you believe he's done anything wrong here?" she pressed.
This time, Hassett criticized Powell over his policies.
"I think his policies have been different from what I would've done, quite a few times. He's made some policy errors. I think that's what I'd prefer to talk about here. If I could discuss the Fed," he said, again not answering Collins' question.
Collins wasn't done.
"It sounds like you don't think it's appropriate that he's under criminal investigation?" Collins continued.
Hassett rebuffed her a fourth time.
"I'm not gonna comment on that," he concluded.
I asked Kevin Hassett if Jay Powell had cut interest rates more, would he be the subject of a criminal investigation right now? pic.twitter.com/5WusZiWyvj
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) January 13, 2026