President Donald Trump swore in Kevin Warsh as the new Federal Reserve chair on Friday, May 22, 2026 [1].
The appointment comes at a critical time for U.S. monetary policy. The Federal Reserve's independence from the executive branch is a cornerstone of global financial stability, and the president's public stance on Warsh's autonomy aims to signal market confidence.
During the ceremony, Trump emphasized that he does not intend to interfere with the new chair's decision-making process. "I want Kevin to be totally independent," Trump said [2]. "Don't look at me, don't look at anybody" [2].
Trump said that he wants Warsh to "do his own thing" while leading the central bank [3]. This directive suggests a departure from previous tensions between the White House and the Federal Reserve regarding interest rate targets and economic management.
Reports regarding the specifics of the ceremony vary. Some accounts state that President Trump led the swearing-in process [4], while other reports indicate that Justice Clarence Thomas performed the ceremony [5].
Warsh takes over the role with a mandate to manage inflation and employment. By publicly urging Warsh to ignore political pressure, Trump is framing the new leadership as a shield against accusations of political interference in the U.S. economy [3].
“"I want Kevin to be totally independent. Don't look at me, don't look at anybody."”
The Federal Reserve's ability to set monetary policy without direct presidential oversight is vital for controlling inflation and maintaining the value of the U.S. dollar. By explicitly calling for Warsh's independence, the administration is attempting to prevent market volatility that typically occurs when the White House publicly pressures the Fed to lower interest rates.
