贝森特完成美联储主席候选人首轮面试，严厉质询聚焦利率和QE问题

Core Viewpoint - The Trump administration is actively seeking to replace Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent conducting rigorous interviews with 11 candidates regarding their views on interest rates and the exit from crisis-era stimulus policies [1][2]. Group 1: Candidate Selection Process - The interview process for the candidates lasted several weeks and concluded recently, with some candidates reporting that Bessent and other Treasury officials questioned them for up to two hours [1]. - Candidates were asked about their governance strategies for the Federal Reserve, which Bessent criticized for "mission creep" [2]. - Bessent has expressed a desire to find candidates who are "open-minded" and "forward-looking" [2]. Group 2: Bessent's Critique of the Federal Reserve - Bessent published a nearly 6,000-word article criticizing the Federal Reserve's performance, arguing that its expanded balance sheet reflects overreach of power and advocating for reduced intervention in the Treasury market [3]. - The article has drawn ire from senior Federal Reserve officials involved in asset purchase programs, who argue that without such policies, unemployment could have surged, disproportionately affecting the poorest [5]. Group 3: Trump's Influence and Agenda - Trump has indicated that he prefers candidates willing to significantly lower interest rates, which raises concerns about the independence of the Federal Reserve [6]. - The administration's agenda appears to diverge from Bessent's focus on the balance sheet and the side effects of quantitative easing (QE) [6]. - Trump's allies have criticized the Federal Reserve's spending, including a $2.5 billion renovation project, labeling it as extravagant [6].