Powell, an Unlikely Foil, Takes On Trump
The New York Times • • business
Key Points:
- Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell had prepared a list of supportive members of Congress in anticipation of backlash following a Justice Department criminal investigation involving President Trump.
- Powell’s confidence in securing legislative backing stemmed from years of relationship-building on Capitol Hill since his appointment by Trump.
- Powell communicated with several senators, including Susan M. Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Kevin Cramer, discussing the implications of the investigation and the president’s pressure on the Fed.
- Senator Kevin Cramer praised Powell’s proactive engagement with lawmakers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining regular contact with congressional overseers.
- The investigation into Powell became a political issue, with Republican lawmakers criticizing it as an overreach, marking a shift from their previous silence on Trump’s attacks against
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