WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (Reuters) – Some Trump administration officials have privately raised doubts about the possible selection of National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett as the next Federal Reserve chair, Politico reported on Tuesday, citing three people familiar with the discussions.
President Donald Trump told the Wall Street Journal last week that he has narrowed his search for the next head of the U.S. central bank to Hassett or former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh.
Politico on Tuesday reported that some people in the administration believe Hassett has not been effective in his current role, other than as a public messenger for Trump’s agenda.
This, according to the report, has caused concern that he is not suited to succeed Jerome Powell as the Fed chair.
Trump is expected to announce his decision early next year.
(Reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington; Editing by Scott Malone and Jamie Freed)
