"'Powell's Term Guaranteed' 'No Retaliatory Investigation'... Is it Trump? [First Interview After Election]"

Revealed in an Interview with NBC

Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, announced on the 8th (local time) that he intends to guarantee the term of Jerome Powell, the chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed).

In an interview aired on NBC, Trump was asked by the host if he had plans to shorten Powell's term, which runs until August 2026, to which he replied, "No, I don't think so." During his presidential campaign, Trump had expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Fed, which decides U.S. monetary policy, including interest rates. He had also hinted that he might fire Powell, whom he appointed, during his first term if he won the election. Trump's interview is expected to alleviate some concerns about the Fed's independence being shaken.

Trump also stated that he would not order an investigation into current President Joe Biden. Although he had previously declared that he would appoint a special prosecutor to investigate President Biden, in the interview, he said, "I don't plan to do so (order an investigation into Biden) unless I find something that I consider reasonable." Trump added, "I don't want to go back to the past. I want to make our country successful. Retribution will be achieved through success."

However, he mentioned, "It will be Pam Bondi's decision (nominee for Attorney General), and in other areas, it will be Kash Patel's (nominee for FBI Director)." He also left room for interpretation by stating that he would not order an investigation into Jack Smith, the special prosecutor who criminally charged him with attempting to overturn the 2020 election and leaking and illegally storing confidential documents, but added, "I hope Bondi does what she wants to do."

Reporter Song Jong-hyun