President Donald Trump on Sunday disputed a Wall Street Journal story alleging that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged him to avoid firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell partly over concerns about the impact of his potential removal on the U.S. economy, declaring that he knows “better than anybody what’s good for the Market.”

Former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen supported Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell finishing his term, which is up in May 2026.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that a “formal process” to find a successor for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has already started — as the Trump administration ratchets up pressure for the top central banker to step aside before his term ends.

The Treasury secretary also stated his preference that Powell step down from the Fed entirely when his term ends. “Traditionally, the Fed chair also steps down as a governor."

Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates, and he escalated his attacks on the Fed chair last week.

What we need to do is examine the entire Federal Reserve institution and whether they have been successful,” Bessent told CNBC on Monday. Bessent’s comments come as Donald Trump and his lieutenants have sharply criticised the Fed and its chair Jay Powell for refraining to cut borrowing costs this year.