Trump Looking Into Firing Powell, Kevin Hassett Says

President Donald Trump is looking at removing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell from the post, Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, said in a July 13 interview with ABC News. When asked whether the president had the authority to fire the Fed chair, Hassett replied: “That’s a thing that’s being looked into. But certainly, if there’s cause, he does.” Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, recently criticized Powell, raising concerns about the $2.5 billion renovation of the central bank’s headquarters, which is already $700 million over budget. Hassett was asked whether this could be a reason to fire Powell from the post of Fed chair....