US Senate confirms Trump pick Warsh as chairman of Federal Reserve

Kevin Warsh testifies during his nomination hearing to be a member and chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors before the US Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill, in Washington, DC, April 21, 2026. (AP/Jose Luis Magana)
Kevin Warsh testifies during his nomination hearing to be a member and chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors before the US Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill, in Washington, DC, April 21, 2026. (AP/Jose Luis Magana)

The US Senate confirms US President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, bringing new leadership to the world’s most powerful central bank at a fraught moment for the global economy.

Warsh, 56, a former top Fed official, is confirmed in a largely party-line 54-45 vote and will replace Jerome Powell as chair at an unusually difficult time for the independent agency.

Warsh, who is Jewish, is the son-in-law of World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder.

Inflation has topped the Fed’s two percent target for five years and is now rising faster because of spiking gas prices. The Fed’s interest rate-setting committee is divided and saw the most dissenting votes in more than three decades last month.

And Powell, after years of personal attacks from Trump and an unprecedented Justice Department investigation, plans to remain on the Fed’s board even after his term as chair ends, potentially creating a competing power center.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report. 

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