Core Viewpoint - James Bullard, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, expressed interest in becoming the central bank chair under favorable conditions, emphasizing the importance of defending the dollar's reserve currency status, maintaining low inflation, and protecting the Fed's independence [1][2]. Group 1: Fed Chair Replacement - The Trump administration is actively interviewing candidates to replace Jerome Powell as Fed Chair, whose term ends next May [2]. - Bullard has had discussions with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding the Fed chair position and other related issues [2]. Group 2: Monetary Policy and Interest Rates - The Federal Reserve has maintained its federal funds rate target range at 4.25% to 4.5% due to inflation pressures exceeding the 2% target, which are expected to rise further due to Trump's trade tariffs [3]. - The Fed is anticipated to cut its interest rate target by a quarter of a percentage point in an upcoming meeting, with expectations of further reductions later [4][5]. - Bullard predicts that the Federal Open Market Committee will cut rates by 25 basis points and signal additional easing measures, with markets pricing in a total of 75 basis points by the end of the year [5].