저자: KevinWarsh/주출연자는AngelaAlsobrooks상원의원 · 외국인
요약 보기
청문회에서 Alsobrooks 의원이 트럼프 행정부의 Lisa Cook 해임 시도와 Powell 연준의장 형사수사 문제를 제기하며 연준 독립성 보장 여부를 질의. Warsh 후보는 사법 판단이 진행 중이라 답변을 피했고, 금리 정책 지시를 받은 적 없다고 진술. 임시의장 승계 법적 쟁점에도 명확한 입장을 밝히지 않음.
다듬은 글
Senator Ossoff, Brooks . Thank you. Good afternoon, Mr. Walsh. And thank you for meeting with me last week. In August 2025, President Trump attempted to fire Fed Chair Lisa Cook over baseless allegations that many believe were politically motivated. Fortunately, both the federal district court and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals sided with Ms.
Cook, preventing her from being released until the investigation was complete. This is a significant test of independence. In addition, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh stated that allowing Cook to be fired would weaken, if not destroy, the independence of the Federal Reserve. So I want to ask you: Will you commit to defending Ms.
Cook's position, as Chairman Powell did? Senator, it was a pleasure to meet you in your office and spend time with you. As I told you then, and I'll repeat it here for the entire committee: if there's one thing I stand for, it's that the Fed should know its place. As far as I understand, this issue is currently being considered by the US Supreme Court .
I consider it inappropriate to comment on this, especially since, if I am confirmed, I could become a party to this case. Well, I disagree with Mr. Walsh, I disagree with you. This is your future colleague who has been approved by both this committee and this Senate to serve her country. Chairman Powell defended her position, and your response is that you will not defend her .
Is that correct? No, Senator, that is not my answer. My answer is that there is a case pending in the Supreme Court , the results of which I think we will hear soon. If confirmed by this body, I will adhere to the Constitution, the laws of the Supreme Court, and the best traditions of the Fed. Then let me ask you this .
Do you or do you not agree with Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh who said that her dismissal would weaken, if not destroy, the independence of the Fed? Do you agree with Judge Kavanaugh? I took a constitutional law course, but I wouldn't say I'm worthy of being a Supreme Court justice. What I can say is that the independence of the Fed means everything to me.
And that means exactly what I will try to do if I am approved. Okay, I'd like to move on to the criminal investigation into Chairman Powell. The Trump administration could have used many methods to stop this senseless process. Instead, they went for aggravation. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Janine Pirro, sent prosecutors to the Fed last week to continue this circus, but they were not allowed in.
Chairman Powell stated that the administration's investigation does not address any testimony or the building's reconstruction, calling these arguments merely an excuse. And he said the threat of criminal prosecution is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on its own assessment of the public interest , not the president's preferences.
So, do you dispute Chairman Powell's assertion that the investigation is a pretext due to policy differences? Senator, as I said in relation to the other case, this one is also being considered in the courts. I have full confidence in the court's ability to make a final decision. I will abide by any court decision.
I will carry out this decision in accordance with the best, best of the best traditions. Let me...Let me...So let me ask you another question. Just a few days ago, President Trump, may God bless him, called Chairman Powell a stubborn, incompetent man who, he said, suffers from “ Trump syndrome.” Now, can you say before this committee that you disagree with that characterization?
My differences with Chairman Powell are about policy, not personality or personnel matters. Okay, let me ask you one more question about, uh, the president. My colleague just told you that the president…you said the president never asked you to lower interest rates, and you noted that he never specifically— that's the word you used— required that you, uh, lower interest rates.
Well, did the president hint at this to you at all ? You know, I wasn't trying to be sly in my response to your colleagues. The President has never, either generally or specifically, uh, given me any instructions or advice that I should follow any interest rate path at all. Okay, let me move on to another point.
So, if the Senate does not confirm you by May 15th, the President could cause even more financial chaos in our economy by illegally trying to remove Chairman Powell and appoint someone else in your place. The law here is quite clear. If a vacancy occurs, the incumbent chairman continues to serve as interim chairman until the Senate confirms a replacement, but the Trump administration is preparing to challenge that assertion, and I expect every financial leader and reporter is now watching your words, which could affect the markets.
So I would like to give you the opportunity to reassure them. Do you agree that the law requires the current Fed chairman to continue serving as interim chairman until a successor is confirmed ? So, I was not consulted on this matter . I'll just say that I worked as a summer intern at a law firm for eight weeks, and that's my entire legal career.
I, of course, cannot determine whether the Vacancies Act applies to the Federal Reserve. Of course. Thank you. Yes, ma'am.
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