U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration are now considering whether the ouster of independent Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is an option, the President's chief economic advisor, Kevin Hassett, said on Friday.
"The president and his team will continue to examine that issue," Hassett told reporters when asked if firing the head of the central bank was an option, after Trump publicly criticized Powell the day before.
Although the President cannot directly fire Federal Reserve governors, Trump might well trigger a long process to oust Powell by showing "cause" for his removal.
Trump, who appointed Powell to the post in his first term, has repeatedly aimed at the Fed chairman, claiming that he is involved in political gamesmanship.
Powell had earlier warned that Trump's broad tariffs would push up prices and slow economic growth, perhaps compelling the Federal Reserve to have a tough choice between containing inflation and responding to unemployment.
On Thursday, Trump made it unmistakable that he can still fire Powell if he so chooses.
"I don't like him. I made him aware of it, and if I want him gone, he'll be gone from there very quickly, believe me," Trump said.
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