A Republican lawmaker has vowed to pushback on any of President Donald Trump's nominees after the Department of Justice announced a probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) dropped a "damning statement" on Sunday calling out the Trump administration for its latest move, The Daily Beast reported. Tillis is a member of the Senate Banking Committee and does not plan to seek reelection in November following a public battle with Trump.
“If there were any remaining doubt whether advisers within the Trump Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve, there should now be none. It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question,” Tillis said.
“I will oppose the confirmation of any nominee for the Fed—including the upcoming Fed Chair vacancy—until this legal matter is fully resolved.”
Trump has received criticism from both Republicans and Democrats who have publicly denounced the DOJ announcement to seek criminal charges against Powell.
Powell, who has not bowed to Trump’s demands on an interest rate policy, issued a defiant response in a video statement on Sunday, responding to the president's most recent revenge attack. Trump's other retribution campaigns have targeted Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
“I have deep respect for the rule of law and for accountability in our democracy. No one—certainly not the chair of the Federal Reserve—is above the law,” Powell said. “But this unprecedented action should be seen in the broader context of the administration’s threats and ongoing pressure.”
