Thom Tillis’s firm ‘no’ on Kevin Warsh as Fed chairman could complicate nomination

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced on Friday that he will oppose President Donald Trump’s new nominee to succeed current Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, effectively halting the process from advancing in the upper chamber.

Tillis cited concerns about protecting the central bank’s independence from politicization and “legal intimidation,” saying doing so is “non-negotiable,” in a statement to X. 

“Kevin Warsh is a qualified nominee with a deep understanding of monetary policy. However, the Department of Justice continues to pursue a criminal investigation into Chairman Jerome Powell based on committee testimony that no reasonable person could construe as possessing criminal intent,” Tillis said. “Protecting the independence of the Federal Reserve from political interference or legal intimidation is non-negotiable.”

“My position has not changed: I will oppose the confirmation