US President Donald Trump on Wednesday intensified his attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, accusing him of moving too slowly on interest rate cuts. “I’ll be honest, I’d love to fire his ass,” Trump said while speaking at a Saudi Arabia-backed investment forum at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

Trump has long criticised Powell—whom he nominated during his first term—for keeping rates “too high,” a stance he says is slowing economic momentum.

“You’ve got to work on him, Scott. The only thing Scott’s blowing it on is the Fed,” Trump told Bessent, who was in the audience. In another pointed remark—delivered with a hint of humour—Trump added: “The rates are too high, Scott, and if you don’t get it fixed fast, I’m going to fire your ass.”

Powell’s term as Fed chair ends in May,

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