Powell's Successor Walsh Sworn In; Trump Demands Independence Yet Offers Policy Guidance on May 23

According to BlockBeats, Kevin Walsh was sworn in as Federal Reserve chair on May 23, with several key moments during the White House ceremony. Trump initially told Walsh to be "completely independent" and "not look at me or anyone else," but just two minutes later offered policy suggestions, stating the economy needs strong growth without cooling, inflation need not accompany growth, and that "unprecedented prosperity" should be pursued to address debt.

Trump also suggested Fed policymakers would "converge," saying they would "make their own decisions but listen to Kevin throughout," even those with differing views. In his remarks, Walsh referenced former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan's 1987 swearing-in ceremony and pledged to work "with full energy and sense of purpose like Chairman Greenspan," notably omitting mention of his former chair Ben Bernanke, with whom he served for five years.