Trump’s Threat to Fire Powell Risks Undermining Fed Independence, Destabilizing Markets

About Trump’s Threat to Fire Powell Risks Undermining Fed Independence, Destabilizing Markets

President Donald Trump's repeated threats to remove Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell heighten legal and economic uncertainty. Experts say he lacks authority to dismiss Powell without cause, risking a legal showdown. Critics warn that political pressure could undermine the Fed’s independence, damage its credibility, and increase inflation expectations. Despite possible leadership retention, ongoing interference threatens market stability, raises long-term fiscal risks, and echoes past policies that led to higher yields and tighter conditions.