But that tradition is facing renewed strain as President Donald Trump escalates his attacks on Jerome Powell, the central bank’s chair, for refusing to cut interest rates. “If I want him out, he’ll be out of there real fast,

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said Friday President Trump and his team were studying the matter when asked if firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell was an option, an indication that a matter of great consequence for the central bank’s independence and for global markets remained under active consideration by the White House.