President Donald Trump lashed out at Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Truth Social Wednesday moments after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared on MSNBC to claim Powell's job is safe.
Morning Joe host Jonathan Lemire asked Bessent, "Should the president just simply say, 'I'm going to let the Fed Chair finish his term? Wouldn't that supply a bit of comfort and stability to the markets that seem to rattle every time the president suggests that Powell should go?"
"Well, I'm not sure where that question comes from because President Trump has repeatedly said that he's not going to fire Chair Powell," Bessent said. "He might like for him to resign but he's not going to fire him. He's said that on numerous occasions, I think he may have even said it again yesterday."
Lemire then asked if Trump's "fairly incessant pressure campaign" against Powell was "a good thing for the nation's economy."
"I think anyone who goes into public service should expect pressure," Bessent answered. "I get pressure from the president, from the Congress, from constituents. I put pressure on myself. So, I think everyone's used to that. And, Chair Powell's been around a long time."
Shortly after Bessent's comments, Trump used his go-to nickname to blast Powell once again on Truth Social.
"Housing in our Country is lagging because Jerome “Too Late” Powell refuses to lower Interest Rates. Families are being hurt because Interest Rates are too high, and even our Country is having to pay a higher Rate than it should be because of “Too Late," the president wrote.
"Our Rate should be three points lower than they are, saving us $1 Trillion per year (as a Country). This stubborn guy at the Fed just doesn’t get it — Never did, and never will. The Board should act, but they don’t have the Courage to do so!"
