President Donald Trump said he wants Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh to be "totally independent" during a swearing-in ceremony on Friday [1].
The appointment of a new Fed Chair is a critical moment for the U.S. economy, as the central bank's independence from political influence is designed to ensure stable monetary policy and inflation control.
The ceremony took place at the White House, where Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administered the oath of office to Warsh [2]. During the event, Trump said that he wants the new chair to operate without political pressure.
"I want him to be totally independent," Trump said [3].
Trump said that he wants Warsh to "do his own thing" while managing the Federal Reserve [4]. By encouraging this autonomy, the president indicated that Warsh should make monetary-policy decisions based on economic data rather than executive preference [5].
The transition comes at a time when the relationship between the White House and the central bank is closely watched by global markets. Historically, the Federal Reserve has maintained a degree of separation from the presidency to prevent short-term political goals from undermining long-term financial stability.
Warsh's swearing-in on May 22, 2026 [1], marks the official start of his leadership at the institution. The president's public endorsement of independence is intended to signal to investors and policymakers that the Fed will remain an autonomous entity.
"I want him to be totally independent and do his own thing," Trump said [4].
“"I want him to be totally independent."”
The Federal Reserve's independence is a cornerstone of U.S. economic policy, intended to prevent the manipulation of interest rates for political gain. By explicitly calling for Warsh to be 'totally independent,' Trump is addressing market concerns regarding potential executive interference in monetary policy, which could otherwise lead to volatility in bond markets and currency valuations.
