Trump's Fed Chair Nominee on Track for May Confirmation

White House advisor says Kevin Warsh has 'enormous' bipartisan support in Senate

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:22am

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A quiet, cinematic painting of the Federal Reserve building in Washington, D.C. bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, creating a sense of political transition and uncertainty.As the Federal Reserve faces a leadership change, the iconic central bank building stands alone, its future direction uncertain.Washington Today

Former Federal Reserve Board member Kevin Warsh, President Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, is on track to be confirmed by the Senate as early as May, according to White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett. Hassett said Warsh has 'enormous' bipartisan support in the upper chamber and should be confirmed by next month, despite an ongoing criminal investigation into current Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

Why it matters

The confirmation of Warsh, a critic of the Fed's pandemic-era policies, would mark a significant shift in the central bank's leadership and direction. It comes as the Fed battles the highest inflation in four decades, raising interest rates aggressively to cool the economy.

The details

Hassett told Fox Business Network that Warsh's nomination is moving forward and he is 'highly confident' the Senate will confirm him by May. Current Fed Chair Jerome Powell had initially indicated he would leave once a new chair was selected, but has since said he will not depart until a criminal investigation led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is complete. Powell's term ends in May. Warsh, who served on the Fed's Board of Governors from 2006 to 2011, has harshly criticized the central bank's policies in recent years, including its low interest rate policies coming out of the pandemic.

  • Warsh's nomination was first announced on Jan. 30, 2026.
  • Powell's term as Federal Reserve chair ends in May 2026.
  • The Senate Banking Committee is scheduled to consider Warsh's nomination at a hearing next week.

The players

Kevin Warsh

Former member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors from 2006 to 2011, and President Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Reserve.

Kevin Hassett

White House economic advisor who expressed confidence that Warsh will be confirmed by the Senate as the next Federal Reserve chair.

Jerome Powell

Current Federal Reserve Chair, who has said he will not leave his post until a criminal investigation led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is complete.

Jeanine Pirro

U.S. Attorney leading a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Thom Tillis

Republican Senator from North Carolina and member of the Senate Banking Committee, who says he will oppose confirming Warsh until the criminal investigation is resolved.

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What they’re saying

“I'm highly confident ​that that will happen.”

— Kevin Hassett, White House economic advisor

“He's really signaled that once there's a confirmed head chair, that he'll step aside, ​and that's the appropriate thing for him to do.”

— Kevin Hassett, White House economic advisor

What’s next

The Senate Banking Committee is scheduled to consider Warsh's nomination at a hearing next week. Sen. Thom Tillis has said he will oppose confirming Warsh until the criminal investigation into current Fed Chair Jerome Powell is resolved.

The takeaway

The confirmation of Warsh, a critic of the Fed's pandemic-era policies, would mark a significant shift in the central bank's leadership and direction as it battles the highest inflation in four decades. However, the ongoing criminal investigation into Powell could complicate or delay Warsh's path to confirmation.