Former President Donald Trump has reignited his criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, suggesting he could dismiss him if Powell doesn't resign when his term expires in May. Speaking to FOX Business, Trump reiterated his long-standing dissatisfaction with Powell's leadership, calling him "overall incompetent" while acknowledging he previously hesitated to remove him to avoid controversy.

The remarks come as the Justice Department investigates Powell over the Fed's headquarters renovation project—a $4 billion undertaking Trump claims could have been completed for a fraction of the cost. "Don't you think we have to find out what happened there?" Trump asked during the interview, framing the probe as a matter of fiscal accountability.

Trump has nominated former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh as Powell's replacement, but the confirmation process faces political headwinds. Outgoing Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) vowed to block all Fed nominations until the DOJ's Powell investigation concludes transparently. The scrutiny reflects broader tensions between monetary policy and political agendas as the central bank navigates economic uncertainty.