Economy
April 21 is Senate hearing to confirm Kevin Warsh to lead Fed. Senator Tillis said he’d hold up hearing if DOJ doesn’t drop Fed criminal probe. Trump suggested he’d fire Powell if Warsh isn’t confirmed and said DOJ won’t drop probe.
Trump nominated Kevin Warsh to run Fed when Jay Powell’s chairman term expires May 15, but Warsh’s Senate confirmation hearing set for April 16 was just delayed. Summary here.

Mortgage rates are up .625% since Iran war began February 28. Even with this rise, rates are still down .625% since early-2025. And YoY home prices are flat, helping buyer affordability.
Here are 3 charts from CNBC that show monthly data from 2022 to present for 3 critical American jobs stats: how many jobs were created or lost, the unemployment rate, and growth in average hourly earnings.
Treasury chief Bessent and Fed chair nominee Warsh say AI is reason to cut rates. Former NY Fed chief Dudley disagrees for 5 reasons.
It's easy to blame affordability struggles on DoorDash private-taxiing your burrito to you. But the stats show eating at home is up, especially for young people. Don't lose homebuying hope!
Senator Tillis reiterates opposition of Trump Fed chair pick Warsh until DOJ's criminal allegations against Powell are resolved
59% of consumer spending is by top 20% of earners (near record high), and 41% is by bottom 80% (record low) — per Moody’s analysis of Fed data
The modern world is built in Detroit so maybe that’s where the Davos World Economic Forum will relocate. So says Larry Fink.
Battle for Fed independence escalates as DOJ goes after Fed, and Powell holds ground
Here's a detailed table from Reuters about every U.S. economic data release coming up in October, and which ones will go vs. which ones will be delayed by government shutdown
Jobs & inflation data releases would pause in a government shutdown, which makes Fed and Wall Street market outlook jobs more difficult. Here’s a rundown.
Fed Chair Powell may see paltry 22k new August jobs as caused by lower immigration, unemployment rising to 4.3% — highest since October 2021 — will likely lead to Sept 17 rate cut of 0.25% or 0.5%.
Fed Chair Powell Finally Signals Rate Cuts. Mortgage Rates Down Already.
Downside risks to employment are rising. And if those risks materialize, they can do so quickly in the form of sharply higher layoffs and rising unemployment.
Treasury chief Scott Bessent says Fed Funds Rate should be 1.5% to 1.75% lower, predicts .5% cut Sept 17, teases up to 11 Powell replacements

