WASHINGTON, Jan 20 (Reuters) – U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said on Tuesday he believed it was a mistake for Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to appear before the Supreme Court for arguments in President Donald Trump’s attempt to fire a Fed governor.
On Wednesday, Supreme Court justices will consider the legality of Trump’s bid to oust Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
The Associated Press and other media reported Monday that Powell plans to participate in oral arguments in court.
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“I actually think that’s a mistake. Because if you’re trying not to politicize the Fed, it’s a real mistake for the Fed chair to sit there and try to put his thumb on the scale,” Bessant said.
Critics of the Republican president have expressed concern that Trump’s actions and rhetoric could jeopardize the Fed’s independence.
(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
