President Donald Trump on Wednesday renewed his blistering attack on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, posting a fiery message on Truth Social that accused Powell of undermining the U.S. economy and failing to act boldly on interest rates.
In the post, Trump once again lambasted Powell, writing “I really believe that Jerome ‘Too Late’ Powell is an OBSTRUCTIONIST!”, asserting that the Fed chair’s reluctance to move aggressively has inflicted serious harm on American families and businesses. The president has said in the past that Powell is “hurting the economy badly” and warned that unless dramatic rate cuts are implemented “very soon,” the Fed risks derailing recovery.
This latest post continues a nearly year long public feud. Trump, during his second stint in office, has frequently lashed out at Powell for not cutting interest rates faster, arguing that higher borrowing costs suppress investment, home purchases and growth.
Earlier in 2025, Trump went so far as to call Powell a “stubborn MORON” and urged that the Fed’s board of governors “assume control” over monetary policy if Powell would not relent. He has also publicly floated removing Powell, though legal constraints limit a president’s ability to dismiss a Fed chair without cause.
Trump’s post on Wednesday did not include specific policy proposals, but it echoed themes he’s voiced repeatedly: that inflation is under control, that rate cuts should be deeper and faster, and that independence at the Fed must yield to decisive action.
The public confrontation underscores growing pressure on the Fed and the tension between the White House and the central bank. While presidents have criticized Fed policy before, few have so openly sought to shape it by calling for removal of the chair or restructuring its authority.
Powell is nearing the end of his current term, which expires in May 2026. He has repeatedly defended the Fed’s independence and cautioned against hasty actions that might reignite inflation or trigger financial instability.
Legal analysts have noted that federal law restricts removal of a Fed chair for policy disagreements, limiting such efforts to cases of proven misconduct. Even so, the tug-of-war is stoking uncertainty in financial markets and fueling debate about the balance between independence and accountability in monetary policy.
Trump’s aggressive push comes as the economy shows signs of uneven momentum. Inflation, while lower than its peaks, remains above the Fed’s long term target. At the same time, job growth has cooled. Markets have been parsing every signal from the Fed for clues on the timing and size of future rate cuts.
With the Fed’s next policy meeting still on the calendar on for October 28-28, 2025, eyes will be on Powell’s next public remarks. Analysts will be watching for signs that the tension with the White House is influencing the Fed’s internal deliberations.
