It's the norm for the Fed chairman and U.S. president to have a meeting—Powell says he's never asked for a sit-down and 'never will'

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell pauses while speaking during a news conference following a Federal Open Market Committee meeting at the William McChesney Martin Jr. Federal Reserve Board Building on May 7, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Credit: Andrew Harnik—Getty Images)

• Jerome Powell stated he would never initiate a meeting with the president, distancing the Federal Reserve from political influence after Donald Trump has criticized the decision-making of the FOMC. While markets looked for direction, Powell offered a cautious outlook, citing elevated uncertainty and signaling a wait-and-see approach on future economic decisions.

It would be out of the question for the Fed chairman to request an audience with the Oval Office, Jerome Powell said yesterday, even if it is the norm for the president to sit down with the central bank head.