Trump says he has no plans to fire Jerome Powell — after reported ‘joke' offer of Fed chair job to Jamie Dimon

Core Viewpoint - President Trump has stated he has no intention of firing Fed Chairman Jerome Powell despite an ongoing criminal investigation into Powell, which relates to the Federal Reserve's over-budget headquarters renovation [1][4][5]. Group 1: Investigation and Political Context - Powell is currently under investigation by the Justice Department regarding the Fed's renovation project, which has reportedly exceeded its budget by approximately $1.5 billion, bringing the total cost to around $4 billion [8][18][19]. - Trump has expressed frustration with Powell for not lowering interest rates quickly enough and has indicated that he is considering other candidates for the Fed chair position, including former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett [6][12]. - The investigation has drawn criticism from various political figures and foreign central bank leaders, who are concerned about the implications for the independence of the Federal Reserve [12][14]. Group 2: Trump's Position and Future Plans - Trump has suggested that he may announce a replacement for Powell in the coming weeks, while also dismissing concerns from lawmakers regarding his potential nominees [6][14]. - The White House has stated that any speculation about the nomination process for the Federal Reserve chairman is premature until an official announcement is made [5]. - Trump has reiterated his belief that a president should have influence over Federal Reserve decisions, arguing that his business experience gives him a better understanding of economic matters than Powell [14].