By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-says-fed-chair-warsh-will-do-what-he-has-to-do-on-possible-rate-hikes Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Trump says Fed Chair Warsh will 'do what he has to do' on possible rate hikes Politics Aug 31, 2026 5:20 PM EDT Trump suggested he's not necessarily opposed to Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh raising interest rates because of inflationary pressures, but he said that he thinks interest rates are "too high." Watch the president's remarks in the player above. The president picked Warsh to lead the Fed after blasting his predecessor as chair, Jerome Powell, for not aggressively slashing its benchmark rates. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Powell held off on large rate cuts due to the inflationary pressures created by Trump's tariffs — and those pressures have continued as the Iran war has increased energy prices. But, for the moment, Warsh appears to have a pass from Trump. "I have a lot of respect for him and he'll do what he has to do," Trump said. "I think our interest rates are too high." WATCH: Trump says more pharmaceutical companies will lower drug prices A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
Trump suggested he's not necessarily opposed to Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh raising interest rates because of inflationary pressures, but he said that he thinks interest rates are "too high." Watch the president's remarks in the player above. The president picked Warsh to lead the Fed after blasting his predecessor as chair, Jerome Powell, for not aggressively slashing its benchmark rates. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Powell held off on large rate cuts due to the inflationary pressures created by Trump's tariffs — and those pressures have continued as the Iran war has increased energy prices. But, for the moment, Warsh appears to have a pass from Trump. "I have a lot of respect for him and he'll do what he has to do," Trump said. "I think our interest rates are too high." WATCH: Trump says more pharmaceutical companies will lower drug prices A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now