Trump Softens Tone on Powell, and Federal Reserve Chair May Have Sen. Kennedy to Thank for It

As RedState reported earlier, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) did an interview on "Meet the Press" Sunday, where he dropped facts on Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) on the issue of whether suspected MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported to El Salvador in March, had been afforded due process.

"In my judgment, [Van Hollen] is utterly and gloriously wrong," Kennedy told host Kristen Welker. "I mean, most of this gauzy rhetoric is just rage bait. Unless you’re next-level obtuse, you know that Mr. Garcia is never coming back to the United States ever," he also remarked.

"The other point I would make is that Chris says Mr. Garcia's had no due process," Kennedy continued. "He's been in front of 17 judges, some of 'em twice, probably $5 million worth of legal fees, and he hadn't had to pay a dime."

While on the program, Kennedy was also asked by Welker about President Donald Trump's recent statements on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, including what Trump posted on Truth Social about how Powell's "termination cannot come fast enough."

Before we get to Kennedy's thoughts on the matter, here's what Trump posted in full last Thursday:

The ECB [European Central Bank] is expected to cut interest rates for the 7th time, and yet, “Too Late” Jerome Powell of the Fed, who is always TOO LATE AND WRONG, yesterday issued a report which was another, and typical, complete “mess!” Oil prices are down, groceries (even eggs!) are down, and the USA is getting RICH ON TARIFFS. Too Late should have lowered Interest Rates, like the ECB, long ago, but he should certainly lower them now. Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!

That, and Trump also stating while talking to reporters in the Oval Office the same day that "If I want him out, he’ll be out of there real fast, believe me," led to widespread speculation in Media and Pundit World about whether Trump intended to try and fire Powell - and if he even had the authority to do so.

On "Meet the Press," here's what Kennedy had to say about it:

Welker: But as you know tensions have been mounting between the president and the Fed chair. Would you support President Trump removing Jerome Powell as Fed chair?
Kennedy: I don't think the president, any president, has the right to remove the Federal Reserve chairman. I think the Federal Reserve ought to be independent. I think that Jay Powell and President Trump need to sit down and once again, have a hug and cup of hot cocoa and work it out. My experience with Jay Powell is that he's got tiger blood. He's going to do what he thinks is right. And, he's not going to go down in history as the Federal Reserve chairman that allowed the inflation to become wild as a March hare. And he's going to do what he thinks he's got to do.

Watch:

Sen. John Kennedy: "I don't think the President—any President—has the right to remove the Federal Reserve Chairman ... I think Jay Powell and President Trump need to sit down and, once again, have a hug and a cup of hot cocoa and work it out." pic.twitter.com/tMT0KekxND
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) April 20, 2025

While it's unclear for sure whether Kennedy and/or Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent were influential on this issue, or whether Trump's just going with his gut feelings after the stock market reacted the way it did to him also calling Powell a "major loser" Monday, the president appears to have softened his tone a bit:

.@POTUS on Fed Chair Jerome Powell: "I have no intention of firing him. I would like to see him be a little more active in terms of his idea to lower interest rates ... but, no, I have no intention to fire him." pic.twitter.com/PoWuuCqUwT
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 22, 2025

As always, we'll keep you posted on the latest developments. Stay tuned.

Please help us continue to report on and expose the lies and left-wing narratives of the 'Fake News' Media. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.