Kevin Warsh, President Trump’s pick to lead the US Federal Reserve, testifies during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on his nomination on April 21, 2026. (Photo: AFP)
WASHINGTON - The US Senate is expected to confirm Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve chairman on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump applies unprecedented pressure on the central bank to cut interest rates despite stubbornly high inflation.The Senate will vote at 2pm local time, with Trump’s Republicans holding a slim majority and expected to confirm his nominee to replace Jerome Powell.
Once known as a monetary “hawk”, Warsh has since changed his tune in line with Trump’s abrasive push for lower interest rates.
The incoming Federal Reserve chair has promised to bring “regime change” at the central bank, which he has criticised for being too political and communicating too openly on its decision-making processes.
But with inflation still above the Fed’s long-term two-percent target — and rising over Trump’s Iran war — Warsh is unlikely to convince fellow Fed rate-setting committee members to cut immediately.
