Hassett: If I were to head the Federal Reserve, I would be able to persuade my colleagues.

Hassett, a leading candidate for the next Federal Reserve chair, denied concerns that he would struggle to persuade other Fed officials to support his views if appointed. Hassett stated on Thursday, "I'm tough enough to win debates. Anyone who comes to the White House and faces every possible question for five years—like me—is tough enough to handle hostile situations and help people understand why they are right or wrong." Hassett has consistently argued that Fed Chair Powell and his colleagues have been too slow in cutting interest rates, a view shared by Trump. Fed watchers point out that interest rate decisions depend on a majority vote on the Federal Open Market Committee, and a Trump-nominated chair may not be able to forge a consensus on significant rate cuts. Hassett reiterated that Trump believes the Fed, under Powell's leadership, has been politically biased, cutting rates before the 2024 election but halting the easing cycle after Trump's inauguration in 2025. "He believes that sometimes their decisions appear partisan," Hassett said. (Jinshi)