Hassett Says If He’s Fed Chair, Trump’s Advice Won’t Influence Central Bank’s Policy

‘In the end, the job of the Fed is to be independent and to work with the group of people that are on the Board of Governors.’ Kevin Hassett said.

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett speaks to reporters outside the White House in Washington on Nov. 13, 2025. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Kevin Hassett, a leading contender to become the next Federal Reserve chair, said on Dec. 14 that if he gets the position, while he would convey President Donald Trump’s views on interest rates to policymakers, those views would carry no formal weight in the central bank’s decisions.

In an interview on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” Hassett said that the Federal Reserve’s independence would be preserved under his leadership, following Trump’s previous comments that he wants Fed discussions over monetary policy to take his opinion into account.