Kevin Hassett: "No final decision on Fed chair yet… White House role still possible"

As US President Donald Trump is said to prefer keeping Kevin Hassett, head of the White House National Economic Council (NEC), in his current role, the field of candidates for the next Federal Reserve (Fed) chair appears to be shifting.

According to Walter Bloomberg on the 19th (local time), Hassett said he felt “humbled” by Trump’s remark that he wants to keep him on as an adviser, adding that “the president may be right that the White House could be the best fit for me.”

He also noted that Trump has not yet made a final decision on the Fed chair. While he said he has not been completely ruled out of contention, he suggested he could remain at the White House depending on the president’s intentions.

He further said he is “confident President Trump will ultimately reach an agreement in negotiations related to Greenland,” also touching on diplomatic and trade issues.

Names currently mentioned as candidates for the next Fed chair include Fed Governor Christopher Waller, former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh, and Rick Rieder, BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officer (CIO) for fixed income. Among them, Rieder is reported to be gaining prominence on expectations he has a relatively strong chance of winning Senate confirmation.

Meanwhile, the term of current Fed Chair Jerome Powell ends on May 15. The selection process is being led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has said he is not among the candidates. Markets are watching for the decision to potentially refocus debate over the future monetary-policy stance and the Fed’s independence.