There have been no indications from Powell that he plans to step down despite a barrage of criticism from the Trump administration.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is taking aim at the Federal Reserve and the rules the Fed enforces as a supervisor of big banks. But he doesn't think Fed Chair Jerome Powell should step down immediately.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that embattled Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell should finish out his term if he wants. “If he wants to see that through, I think he should. If he wants to leave early,

Amid tensions with the White House, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent backed Fed Chair Jerome Powell, saying there's no need for him to step down before his term ends in May. However, Bessent suggested Powell has a chance to cement his legacy by reforming the Fed’s non-monetary functions.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that a “formal process” to find a successor for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has already started — as the Trump administration ratchets up pressure for the top central banker to step aside before his term ends.

President Donald Trump on Sunday disputed a Wall Street Journal story alleging that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged him to avoid firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell partly over concerns about the impact of his potential removal on the U.S. economy, declaring that he knows “better than anybody what’s good for the Market.”

Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates, and he escalated his attacks on the Fed chair last week.