Jerome Powell uses JFK award speech to warn against political pressure on Fed, courts and schools

Former Fed chair Jerome Powell receives JFK Profile in Courage award

Former Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell was honored with the "Profile in Courage" award for helping to safeguard the central bank from political pressure from the White House.

Outgoing chair Powell delivers defense of Fed independence

Central bank faces political 'stress test' that threatens economy, ex-Fed Chair Powell says

Jerome Powell speaks after receiving the 2026 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award on May 31, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Scott Eisen/Getty Images) (NEW YORK) — The Federal Reserve is weathering a political “stress test” that threatens to undermine public trust in the central bank and damage the United States economy, former Fed Chair Jerome Powell said in recent remarks. “Like many other institutions, the Fed has been undergoing a stre…

Jerome Powell uses award speech to warn against political pressure on Fed, courts and schools

The award also honored residents of Minnesota's Twin Cities for their actions during a federal immigration crackdown that led to thousands of arrests and two deaths.

Political pressure risks damaging trust in US central bank, Powell warns

Former Fed chair says attempts to remove officials over policy differences could erode confidence in central bank independence

Jerome Powell warns that a politicized Fed would lose the public's trust

The former Fed chair described the central bank's credibility as a "priceless asset" built over many decades that officials have a duty to safeguard