Jerome Powell Comments on Trump Assassination Attempt

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell condemned the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and expressed relief that Trump's injuries were not more severe. The incident involved a 20-year-old gunman at a campaign rally in Western Pennsylvania, resulting in Trump's injury and a spectator's death. Powell and Trump have a historically strained relationship.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Monday expressed his gratitude that the injuries sustained by former President Donald Trump during an assassination attempt were not more serious, labeling the event a "sad day for our country."

"Political violence has no place in our society, and I condemn it in the strongest terms. I know we all do," Powell said at an Economic Club of Washington event. "I'm grateful that the injuries to the former president were not more serious."

A 20-year-old gunman wounded Trump in his right ear and killed a spectator at a campaign rally in Western Pennsylvania on Saturday. The gunman was killed by Secret Service agents, and Trump's injuries were not life-threatening. Trump is now in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the Republican National Convention to receive the party's official nomination for the Nov. 5 presidential election. Powell's relationship with Trump, strained historically, will come under increased scrutiny should Trump retake the White House.

Powell was first appointed to the Fed Board of Governors by former President Barack Obama but was selected to lead the central bank by Trump, a post Powell assumed in early 2018. Soon after, Trump opposed him, criticizing the interest rate hikes the Fed implemented in Powell's first year. Powell's current term as chair expires in 2026, and Trump has stated he would not reappoint him. Trump has also indicated that he believed Powell would lower interest rates to favor President Joe Biden's re-election chances.