鲍威尔要下课？特朗普选新人，缩表和低利率的矛盾摆上台面

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing debate regarding the future leadership of the Federal Reserve, particularly the potential replacement of current Chairman Jerome Powell by Donald Trump, highlights conflicting economic ideologies, especially concerning interest rates and the size of the Fed's balance sheet [1][22]. Group 1: Leadership Change - Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Powell and is looking to appoint a successor who aligns with his economic views once Powell's term ends [1]. - The selection process for the new Fed chair is influenced by the ongoing discussions about whether to limit the Fed's asset size, which contradicts Trump's preference for low interest rates [3][20]. Group 2: Economic Policies - Trump's focus on low interest rates is aimed at easing government debt servicing and making loans more affordable for consumers [4]. - The Fed's balance sheet, which has exceeded $6 trillion, was expanded through quantitative easing to lower long-term interest rates during economic crises [6][8]. Group 3: Political Opinions - Republican voices have criticized the Fed for injecting too much cash into the financial system, arguing it disrupts market dynamics [10]. - Former Fed Governor Walsh advocates for reducing the Fed's size to lower short-term rates without triggering inflation, resonating with public sentiment against financial institution expansion [12]. Group 4: Future Implications - The debate over the Fed's balance sheet size reflects broader concerns about government spending and wealth inequality, with some arguing that the Fed's actions have exacerbated the wealth gap [23]. - The upcoming leadership decision will significantly impact how the Fed responds to future economic downturns, with a growing influence of the "balance sheet reduction" faction [27][29].