FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speak during a tour of the Federal Reserve Board building, which is currently undergoing renovations, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 24, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura/File Photo/File Photo
A GOP senator was roundly mocked on Tuesday after he "said the corrupt part out loud" about President Donald Trump's latest fight with the Federal Reserve.
On Sunday, the New York Times reported that the Trump administration had quietly opened an investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell over his handling of the central bank's $2.5 billion headquarters renovation project. Experts have speculated that the investigation is an attempt to push Powell out so Trump can install a loyalist who will lower interest rates at Trump's whim.
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) discussed Trump's investigation of Powell on Tuesday with Fox Business host Larry Kudlow. Cramer said he would offer Powell a deal he can't refuse: Trump drops the investigation in exchange for Powell's resignation.
"To me, that would be a win-win for everybody," Cramer said.
Political analysts and observers were quick to pile on after Cramer made his comments.
"Oops. He said the corrupt part out loud," author Wil Wheton posted on Bluesky.
"Tell us you know nothing of how economics works without...oh, you're on Kudlow's show? That says it loud and clear, then," writer David Loehr posted on Bluesky.
"That seems illegal," economist and columnist Greg Jerico posted on Bluesky.
"Giving the game away," political commentator Thomas Pain posted on Bluesky.
Sen. Kevin Cramer: "Maybe the point should be if you're the attorney for Jay Powell and you want to avoid an indictment, how about you go to Jeanine Pirro and say, 'I'll make a deal. I'll step down today if you drop the investigation today.' To me, that would be a win win for everybody."
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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) January 13, 2026 at 2:21 PM