WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump repeated his desire for lower interest rates but told reporters he wouldn’t fire Jerome Powell, the chairman of the Federal Reserve.“I have no intention of firing him,” Trump said April 22 in the Oval Office, after a swearing-in ceremony for Paul Atkins as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commision. “I would like to see him being a little more active in terms of his idea to lower interest rates. This is a perfect time to lower interest rates.”Trump has been critical of Powell’s reluctance to lower interest rates. Trump’s comment April 21 that Powell was “a major loser” sent markets tumbling.“If he doesn’t, is it the end? No it’s not. But it would be good timing,” Trump said. “It could have taken place earlier.”This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says ‘no intention of firing’ Fed Chairman Jerome Powell
