Trump official criticizes Fed chief Jerome Powell for "ostentatious" office renovations, as Trump takes aim over interest rates
CBSN
A top Trump administration official accused Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell of leading an "ostentatious" office renovation project that may be "violating the law" on Thursday, a new broadside against the central bank chief as President Trump tangles with him over interest rates.
"The President is extremely troubled by your management of the Federal Reserve System," Office of Management and Budget Chair Russell Vought wrote in a letter Thursday.
The letter came after months of criticism from Mr. Trump over the Fed's decision not to slash interest rates. Economists say lowering rates may accelerate economic growth, but also runs the risk of causing inflation to spike. That has led the Fed's interest rate-setting committee — which Powell chairs — to keep rates steady so far this year after cutting rates slightly last year.
