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Bessent: Fed lost trust of American people over inflation, threatening independence

Kitco Media
By Reuters
Published:
Updated:
Reuters
Bessent: Fed lost trust of American people over inflation, threatening independence teaser image

WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday said that the independence of the Federal Reserve was based on Americans' trust of the central bank, which it lost because it allowed inflation to get out of control and "ravage" their incomes.

Bessent, asked at a House of Representatives Financial Services Committee hearing for his views on Fed independence, said that President Donald Trump had the right to publicly express his views on Fed monetary policy decisions, as does Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren or anyone else.

Bessent also repeated that he always supports a strong dollar policy.

Reporting by David Lawder

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