Trump Confident in Kevin Warsh's Senate Confirmation, but Tillis Emerges as a Wild Card

If Republicans Break Ranks,
Senate Confirmation Becomes Uncertain
Trump: "Will Wait for Confirmation"

Kevin Warsh, Candidate for Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed). Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed confidence that his nominee for Chairman of the Federal Reserve (Fed), Kevin Warsh, would win confirmation in the Senate. However, there are now concerns that the confirmation process could be delayed due to opposition from Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

According to Reuters on February 1 (local time), President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on January 31, "I think he (Warsh) could get Democratic votes," adding, "He is such an outstanding individual that he will probably receive support from Democrats as well. He is a very high-caliber person, and there will be no problem with his confirmation."

Previously, President Trump nominated former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell as Fed Chairman, whose term is set to end in May. The Fed Chairman, who serves a four-year term, is officially appointed after a hearing by the Senate Banking Committee and a full Senate vote following the President’s nomination.

The issue is that challenges are already expected at the committee stage. Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican who has clashed with President Trump over certain legislative matters and serves on the Senate Banking Committee, is highly likely to vote against the confirmation. On the day Warsh was announced as the nominee, Senator Tillis stated, "I will block the confirmation until the Department of Justice's investigation into Chairman Powell is transparently concluded."

According to Reuters, the Republicans currently hold a slim majority on the Senate Banking Committee, with a 13-to-11 advantage over the Democrats. If any Republicans break ranks, the confirmation could be stalled before reaching the full Senate. In the Senate as a whole, Republicans maintain only a three-seat majority.

In response, President Trump criticized Senator Tillis's efforts to block the nomination, saying, "That is why he is no longer a senator." Although Senator Tillis has announced he will not seek re-election in 2026, he will remain in office until early next year.

However, according to U.S. political media outlet Politico, the majority of Republican senators are reportedly supporting Warsh's nomination. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott stated, "Warsh possesses deep knowledge of the markets and monetary policy, which is essential for the role of Chairman." House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill also praised Warsh, saying he "has a clear understanding of the Fed’s responsibilities."

Politico noted that Warsh was confirmed by unanimous voice vote in the Senate in February 2006 during the George W. Bush administration. However, the outlet pointed out that this time, he is expected to face a far more rigorous confirmation process.

Democratic senators are also expected to focus their criticism not on Warsh’s personal qualifications but on his relationship with President Trump. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts said, "Donald Trump has said that anyone who disagrees with him can never become Fed Chairman," adding, "Former Governor Warsh appears to have passed the 'loyalty test.'" Warren serves as the ranking Democrat on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Meanwhile, Chairman Powell refrained from commenting on the Department of Justice’s criminal indictment efforts and questions about his future during a press conference following the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on January 28. On January 11, he had issued an emergency video statement criticizing the federal prosecutors’ investigation into alleged excessive renovation costs at Fed headquarters as an attempt by the administration to interfere in monetary policy.