US Politics: Democrats, Republicans and Former Fed Chairs Condemn Investigation into Jerome Powell
In a surprising display of unity, all living former chairs of the Federal Reserve have condemned the criminal investigation into Jerome Powell. Ben Bernanke, Alan Greenspan, and Janet Yellen, among others, released a joint statement condemning what they called an "unprecedented attempt to use prosecutorial attacks to undermine that independence." They warned that such actions would have disastrous consequences for inflation and the functioning of economies.
"This is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets with weak institutions, with highly negative consequences for inflation and the functioning of their economies more broadly," they wrote. The former Fed chairs also stated, "It has no place in the United States whose greatest strength is the rule of law, which is at the foundation of our economic success."
The condemnation comes as tensions over the central bank's independence have escalated. Senate Republican Lisa Murkowski said that she spoke with embattled Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell earlier today and accused the administration of trying to coerce him. She vowed to block any further nominations for the Fed until the investigation is resolved.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Warren, a Senator from Massachusetts, has been speaking out against the Trump administration's attempts to influence monetary policy. In a speech at the National Press Club, she criticized the president's efforts to push out Powell and complete his "corrupt takeover" of the central bank.
"We can't rebuild trust by staying silent about abuses of corporate power and tax fairness simply to avoid offending the delicate sensibilities of the already-rich and powerful," Warren said. She emphasized that Democrats need to take a stronger stance against corruption and prioritize working-class interests.
The White House economic council director, Kevin Hassett, was also asked about the investigation during an interview with CNBC. He stated that he had not been briefed on the Justice Department's plans but acknowledged that there were "dramatic cost overruns" on the Federal Reserve renovations.
In a separate development, Nato's general secretary Mark Rutte praised Trump for his efforts to increase defense spending in Europe. Rutte said that without Trump, they would not have seen an increase in defense spending and that he was "absolutely convinced" that the facts supported his claims.
Overall, the condemnation of Jerome Powell by former Fed chairs and politicians from both parties highlights the deepening concerns over the central bank's independence and the administration's attempts to influence monetary policy.
In a surprising display of unity, all living former chairs of the Federal Reserve have condemned the criminal investigation into Jerome Powell. Ben Bernanke, Alan Greenspan, and Janet Yellen, among others, released a joint statement condemning what they called an "unprecedented attempt to use prosecutorial attacks to undermine that independence." They warned that such actions would have disastrous consequences for inflation and the functioning of economies.
"This is how monetary policy is made in emerging markets with weak institutions, with highly negative consequences for inflation and the functioning of their economies more broadly," they wrote. The former Fed chairs also stated, "It has no place in the United States whose greatest strength is the rule of law, which is at the foundation of our economic success."
The condemnation comes as tensions over the central bank's independence have escalated. Senate Republican Lisa Murkowski said that she spoke with embattled Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell earlier today and accused the administration of trying to coerce him. She vowed to block any further nominations for the Fed until the investigation is resolved.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Warren, a Senator from Massachusetts, has been speaking out against the Trump administration's attempts to influence monetary policy. In a speech at the National Press Club, she criticized the president's efforts to push out Powell and complete his "corrupt takeover" of the central bank.
"We can't rebuild trust by staying silent about abuses of corporate power and tax fairness simply to avoid offending the delicate sensibilities of the already-rich and powerful," Warren said. She emphasized that Democrats need to take a stronger stance against corruption and prioritize working-class interests.
The White House economic council director, Kevin Hassett, was also asked about the investigation during an interview with CNBC. He stated that he had not been briefed on the Justice Department's plans but acknowledged that there were "dramatic cost overruns" on the Federal Reserve renovations.
In a separate development, Nato's general secretary Mark Rutte praised Trump for his efforts to increase defense spending in Europe. Rutte said that without Trump, they would not have seen an increase in defense spending and that he was "absolutely convinced" that the facts supported his claims.
Overall, the condemnation of Jerome Powell by former Fed chairs and politicians from both parties highlights the deepening concerns over the central bank's independence and the administration's attempts to influence monetary policy.