A group of Senate Democrats is demanding that Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh publicly disclose how many conversations he’s had with President Trump since taking the leadership of the central bank.
The Wall Street Journal reports the senators sent Warsh a letter asking that he either confirm in writing whether he had any contact with Trump since being sworn in or amend his publicly released calendars to disclose any calls. The request comes after the Journal reported the two have spoken repeatedly since Warsh took the central bank’s leadership role, even though his publicly available appointment calendars did not include any listings for calls with the president.
The senators’ letter warned the undisclosed contacts between the president and Fed chairman could encourage “a perception that the White House is shaping monetary policy.”
The White House has sent mixed messages on the issue. Kevin Hassett, the director of the White House National Economic Council, said Aug. 7 on Bloomberg Television, said, “Kevin Warsh and the president have a very close, long-term relationship…and they talk about the economy all the time.”
However, on Aug. 10 Trump said the Journal’s reporting was erroneous, adding he only spoke to Warsh “one time, briefly, a few days ago.”
Photo courtesy of Hoover Institution
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