Two Republicans Vow to Block Trump's Fed Nominations Until Powell Investigation Resolved

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said it could be challenging to find a replacement for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell after two Republican senators vowed to block nominations until Powell's investigation has been resolved.

The Details: After federal prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into Powell, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) wrote on X, "If there were any remaining doubt whether advisers within the Trump Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve, there should now be none." He went on to write, "It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question." Tillis is a member of the Senate Banking Committee, which must approve the Fed nominee before the nominee can receive full Senate consideration.

Republican Support: Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said she too would block President Donald Trump's Fed chair nominees until the investigation was resolved and suggested that the investigation could be an attempt at coercion. Senate Rep. French Hill (R-AR) called the criminal inquiry an "unnecessary distraction," and Thun said, "It's really important that it get resolved quickly and that there not be any appearance of political interference with the Fed or its activities."

How the Media Covered It: Fox News (Right bias) noted, "It's also not the first time [Tillis has] stood directly in the path of Trump," as last week he announced that he would block all future Department of Homeland Security nominations until Secretary Kristi Noem appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Townhall (Right) highlighted some backlash Tillis received on social media following his announcement. The Hill (Center) was one of the few outlets AllSides found to report that Trump claimed to not be aware of the Justice Department's investigation. It included his statement, "I don't know anything about it, but he's certainly not very good at the Fed, and he's not very good at building buildings." New York Times (Lean Left) focused on several Republicans' reactions and criticisms of the investigation, including quotes from five other Republican members of Congress.

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