AFP Published April 21, 2026 Updated about 9 hours ago WASHINGTON: Kevin Warsh, Donald Trump’s choice to lead the US Federal Reserve, vowed Tuesday to protect central bank independence at his confirmation hearing, despite intense pressure from the president. “I’m committed to ensuring that the conduct of monetary policy remains strictly independent,” Warsh said in opening remarks to the Senate Banking Committee. He also expressed commitment to fighting inflation. The hearing will be scrutinized as it marks a key hurdle that Warsh must overcome to succeed Fed Chair Jerome Powell when his term ends on May 15. But it comes as Trump has escalated criticism of the Fed for not cutting interest rates more aggressively. Earlier Tuesday, Trump told CNBC he would be disappointed if the new Fed chair did not lower rates swiftly, and again slammed Powell for renovation costs at the bank’s headquarters. “We should have the lowest interest rate in the world,” Trump said. The session will be tense, with all 11 Democrats on the Banking Committee last week urging for a delay in Warsh’s nomination proceedings until separate investigations into Powell and Fed governor Lisa Cook are closed. Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who sits on the panel led by his party, has also vowed to block all Fed nominees – including Warsh – until the Justice Department probe involving Powell is resolved. With 13 Republican members on the committee, Tillis’ vote against Warsh’s confirmation could be enough to set up an impasse. Warsh will likely face sharp questioning from lawmakers on issues ranging from his wealth to past connections with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, alongside his views on economic issues. Proving himself “It will be his first chance since he was nominated by the president to demonstrate that he intends to be a credible, independent central banker,” Brookings senior fellow David Wessel told AFP. “He has to be really careful to not anger Trump,” Wessel said, but Warsh will also have to avoid the impression “that he’s weak or subject to political pressure.” On Tuesday,…