54 votes against 45. The U.S. Senate approved on Wednesday the nomination of Donald Trump’s candidate, Kevin Warsh, to head the powerful United States central bank, the Federal Reserve (Fed).
Kevin Warsh only needs to take the oath before definitively assuming his duties for a four-year term at the helm of this institution, which sets U.S. interest rates and influences a large part of the global economy.
Most Democratic opposition members voted against the former central banker’s nomination. They doubt that he will be able to resist Donald Trump’s pressures, who expects lower interest rates to boost the American economy. The head of state dismisses the ongoing inflationary surge that the Federal Reserve is supposed to contain.
Context: The U.S. Senate approved Kevin Warsh as the new head of the Federal Reserve despite concerns about his independence from President Donald Trump.
Fact Check: Jerome Powell will remain at the Federal Reserve, even after his eight-year term, as he will join the board of governors.
“The Americans deserve to know clearly if Mr. Warsh is determined to defend the Federal Reserve in this period of unprecedented attacks and political pressures from the White House,” said Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen before the vote. “I hope he will act independently and make decisions based on facts and evidence, even when those decisions go against the president’s wishes,” added the Maryland senator (east).
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Donald Trump has been increasing pressure on the Fed, attempting to oust outgoing President Jerome Powell and Governor Lisa Cook.
The U.S. president had already considered appointing the 56-year-old man to head the monetary institution back in 2018, during his first term in the White House. He eventually chose Jerome Powell, who was reappointed under Democrat Joe Biden, and whose presidency ends on Friday. Many observers predict that Kevin Warsh will follow the same fate as his predecessor, who was constantly insulted by Donald Trump if he does not lower interest rates.
