#WhoIsNextFedChair

As of January 23, 2026, President Donald Trump has not yet officially announced his nominee for the next Chair of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Current Chair Jerome Powell's leadership term is set to expire in May 2026, though he could remain a Fed governor until 2028.

Trump has stated that he has completed interviews with candidates, concluded the search process, and has a specific pick in mind, with an announcement expected soon—potentially as early as next week.

The search, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, began with 11 candidates and has been narrowed to a final shortlist of four:

Kevin Warsh: A former Fed governor (2006–2011) and vocal critic of some past Fed policies, such as quantitative easing. He is currently the front-runner based on prediction markets, with odds around 45–58%.

Kevin Hassett: Trump's National Economic Council director and a longtime economic adviser known for his conservative views and loyalty to Trump.

Christopher Waller: A current Fed governor with insider experience at the central bank.

Rick Rieder: BlackRock's chief investment officer for global fixed income, bringing private-sector expertise in bond markets. His odds have risen recently after positive comments from Trump.

Once nominated, the candidate would need Senate confirmation to assume the role. This process has been marked by Trump's ongoing criticism of Powell for not cutting interest rates aggressively enough. I'll keep an eye on updates as this develops.