Trump Has Periodic Calls With Fed Chair Warsh, Sources Say
President Trump has spoken by phone from time to time with Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh since Warsh took office, according to people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported. Trump asks Warsh about his forecasts and views but has not asked him to take any specific action, the people said. The calls are the latest sign of Trump’s efforts to exert greater influence over the Federal Reserve. “President Trump has repeatedly emphasized that he is giving Chairman Warsh the space needed to restore the credibility and professional capability of the Fed’s decision-making,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said in an emailed statement. “As an American citizen, the president has the right under the First Amendment to express his views on the Federal Reserve; as commander in chief, he has a responsibility to speak on the matter. At the same time, he has repeatedly reaffirmed his support for Chairman Warsh and the Federal Reserve’s independence.”
Trump asks Warsh about his forecasts and views but has not asked him to take any specific action, the people said. The calls are the latest sign of Trump’s efforts to exert greater influence over the Federal Reserve.
“President Trump has repeatedly emphasized that he is giving Chairman Warsh the space needed to restore the credibility and professional capability of the Fed’s decision-making,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said in an emailed statement. “As an American citizen, the president has the right under the First Amendment to express his views on the Federal Reserve; as commander in chief, he has a responsibility to speak on the matter. At the same time, he has repeatedly reaffirmed his support for Chairman Warsh and the Federal Reserve’s independence.”