Donald Trump Nominates Kevin Warsh for Federal Reserve Chairman With Jerome Powell’s term as Federal Reserve chairman nearing its end in May, Donald Trump has moved to appoint Kevin Warsh, a conservative he previously overlooked during his first presidency, as his successor. The decision marks a strategic shift, aligning the central bank with Trump’s economic agenda. “Warsh is ‘central casting’ and he will never let you down,” Trump stated on social media, framing the nomination as a confident choice. The irony of the selection was widely noted. Warsh is known for advocating higher interest rates—a stance that appears to contradict Trump’s self-identification as a “low interest rate guy.” Trump has criticized Powell for not lowering rates swiftly enough, emphasizing that the Fed’s leadership should reflect his vision. Warsh’s Background and Supporters’ Views Kevin Warsh brings a traditional perspective to the role, with credentials including an Ivy League education, prior experience at the Fed, and time on Wall Street. His association with the Hoover Institution, a conservative economic think tank, further underscores his alignment with market-oriented policies. Supporters argue that Warsh is attuned to the Fed’s independence and cautious about policies driven by short-term political goals. Lee Ohanian, an economics professor at UCLA and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, warned that Trump’s influence could undermine the Fed’s credibility, causing market instability. “Taking directions from Trump would diminish the Fed. It would diminish the office of the chairman, and it would create tremendous turmoil in the financial markets,” Ohanian said. Critics and Concerns Despite the endorsement, some critics have questioned the appointment, citing Warsh’s father-in-law, Ronald Lauder, as a significant Trump donor. Others highlight his past opposition to economic stimulus during the 2008 crisis, a position that was considered a minority view at the time. Congressman Don Beyer, a Democrat from Virginia, accused Warsh of being willing to adjust his views to align with the White House, raising concerns about the Fed’s autonomy. Analysts’ Take on the Nomination Financial analysts have expressed cautious optimism. Wells Fargo analysts noted that Warsh’s relatively low public profile suggests a level of stability in his approach. “Investors should be thankful,” Jeffrey Roach, chief economist for LPL Financial, told the BBC. The acceptance of Warsh is partially…