Tillis Clears Path for Trump Fed Pick After DOJ Ends Powell Case
Sen. Thom Tillis has reversed his opposition to Kevin Warsh, clearing the way for President Donald Trump’s Federal Reserve nominee at a critical moment for the central bank.
The shift follows the Justice Department’s decision to drop its criminal investigation into current Fed Chair Jerome Powell, a probe Tillis had cited as a red line tied to concerns about political pressure.
According to Reuters and AP News, the investigation focused on Powell’s congressional testimony and a multibillion-dollar renovation of Fed headquarters. Tillis had vowed to block any nominee until the case was resolved, arguing it threatened the Fed’s independence.
That stance changed after the DOJ ended the probe on April 24 and transferred oversight to the Fed’s inspector general, though officials noted the case could be reopened if new evidence emerges.
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“If we put everybody in prison… we’d have to reserve an area the size of Texas,” Tillis said earlier during the dispute, underscoring his criticism of the investigation.
The reversal removes the final procedural obstacle for Warsh, whose confirmation had stalled despite Republican control of the Senate Banking Committee.
The episode highlights a broader clash over the Fed’s independence, with Powell and others warning the investigation risked being used to influence monetary policy decisions, including interest rates.
Warsh’s nomination is now expected to advance quickly, with a committee vote scheduled and a full Senate decision likely before Powell’s term expires on May 15.
The outcome could reshape the Fed’s leadership at a moment of ongoing political and economic tension.
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