
Marketplace Morning Report
The Fed chair influences interest rates, inflation, and overall economic stability, so Warsh’s potential appointment could reshape monetary policy direction. Understanding his views helps investors, policymakers, and the public gauge future economic conditions, making this episode especially relevant as markets react to the nomination.
President Donald Trump announced former Fed governor Kevin Warsh as his nominee to succeed Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve. Warsh, who served on the Board from 2006 to 2011, is now a visiting fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, a conservative‑leaning think tank. His nomination arrives just weeks before Powell’s term ends in May, and the Senate will need to confirm the pick before the Fed’s next policy meeting. The selection immediately raises questions about the future direction of U.S. monetary policy, especially after a period of unprecedented stimulus and rate hikes.
Warsh has been vocal about lowering interest rates, arguing that the Fed has not done enough to combat inflation. He contends that advances in artificial intelligence will boost productivity, creating a deflationary force that offsets any rate‑cut‑induced price pressure. In recent remarks, he called for less intervention in financial markets and a more hands‑on approach to bank regulation, positioning himself against the more activist stance the Fed adopted during the COVID‑19 crisis. These views align closely with President Trump’s own calls for cheaper credit and a rollback of regulatory oversight.
For businesses, a Warsh chair could mean a shift toward a more accommodative monetary stance, potentially lowering borrowing costs and encouraging investment in capital‑intensive projects such as AI and renewable energy. However, the prospect of reduced regulatory scrutiny may raise concerns for financial institutions that rely on clear supervisory frameworks. Investors will be watching the Senate confirmation process for clues about the timing and magnitude of any policy changes. Understanding Warsh’s philosophy helps executives anticipate how monetary policy, inflation expectations, and market regulation might evolve under a new Fed leadership.
This morning, President Donald Trump revealed his choice to lead the Federal Reserve: It's Kevin Warsh, a former Fed governor and more recent Fed critic. If confirmed by the Senate, Warsh would replace Jerome Powell, whose term expires in May. Warsh had called for "regime change" at the Fed. On today's show, we'll dig into Warsh's background and perspective. Plus, from "Marketplace Tech," we'll hear how a Nevada startup is taking used electric vehicle batteries to help power a data center.
Who is Trump's Fed chair pick?
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Jan 30, 2026
Today, we’re digging into the background and perspective for President Donald Trump’s next pick for chair of the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh.
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Kevin Warsh in April 2024.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Semafor
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by David Brancaccio and Nova Safo
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In an interview on Fox News, Warsh said he thinks the new Fed chair needs to go in and break some heads.
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[Tessa Bloch] Audio Engineer
[Rachel Brees] Audio Engineer
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[Ashley Rodriguez] Assistant Producer
[Tamar Faggen] Assistant Producer
[Erika Soderstrom] Associate Producer
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[Alex Schroeder] Senior Producer
[Meredith Garretson Morbey] Supervising Senior Producer
[David Brancaccio] Host
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