Senate GOP Urges Trump to End Fed Probe, Confirm Kevin Warsh as Chair

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is pressing the Trump administration to end the GOP standoff over Kevin Warsh's confirmation as Federal Reserve chair.

Frustration is mounting within the Senate GOP conference over delays they view as self-defeating on key issues: spurring economic growth and controlling inflation.

"We all agree that Kevin Warsh is a great pick and hopefully will be confirmed," Thune told reporters on Tuesday. "The sooner the administration can wrap up this investigation and get ready to move forward with the new Fed chairman, the better off everybody will be."

Warsh Faces Scrutiny Over Fed Independence

During his confirmation hearing, Kevin Warsh emphasized the importance of Fed independence, responding to pointed—and at times hostile—questions from Democrats about political pressure on monetary policy and interest rates.

"Fed independence means everything to me," Warsh stated.

He also expressed skepticism about what he described as mission creep at the central bank, arguing the Fed should focus on "staying in its lane" and prioritizing price stability, as noted by Axios' Neil Irwin.

Three-Way Standoff Delays Warsh's Confirmation

Kevin Warsh's nomination is entangled in a three-way impasse involving former President Trump, Fed Chair Jerome Powell, and outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).

• Trump has repeatedly criticized Powell over interest rates and cost overruns tied to Fed headquarters renovations.
• Tillis believes these criticisms are a pretext to pressure the Fed on monetary policy and has refused to advance Warsh's nomination until the DOJ formally ends its investigation into Powell.
• Powell, whose term on the Board runs through early 2028, has stated he will not step aside while the probe remains unresolved.

Tillis Signals Path to Resolution

Sen. Thom Tillis has made clear how the deadlock could be broken.

"Let's get rid of this investigation so I can support your confirmation," he told Warsh.

Tillis has also personally vouched for Warsh, adding:

"I think you're going to be independent."

May 15 Deadline Looms for Fed Chair Confirmation

Jerome Powell's term as Fed chair expires on May 15. If Kevin Warsh is not confirmed by then, Powell has indicated he would remain as chair pro tempore, prolonging the standoff between the president and the Fed chair he seeks to replace.