US President Donald Trump has picked Kevin Warsh to lead the US Federal Reserve when current chairman Jerome Powell's four-year term ends in May. Warsh is a former Fed governor and was considered for chair during Trump's first term. He has been an outspoken Fed critic and is expected to support lower interest rates in the near term. The appointment comes amid mounting worries about the Fed's independence, following Trump's increasing attacks on Powell in recent months. Powell has angered Trump by not cutting interest rates quickly enough, and federal prosecutors recently opened a criminal investigation over his testimony regarding Fed building renovations.

Announcing the nomination on Truth Social, Trump stated, Warsh will go down as one of the GREAT Fed Chairmen, maybe the best. However, Warsh's appointment still needs Senate approval, meaning it could face delays. If confirmed, he will lead the Fed during a time of uncertainty, with the economic landscape shifting and financial markets anticipating how his leadership will diverge from that of Powell.

Warsh, a 55-year-old economist, has strong connections with the Trump family and a history of criticism aimed at the Federal Reserve's monetary policies. His upcoming tenure could prompt closer scrutiny from financial markets, uncertain about the Fed's autonomy under Trump's influence.