US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on the Senate Banking Committee to start hearings for the Federal Reserve chair nominee despite the Jerome Powell probe.
The dispute has slowed the Fed chair confirmation process for the Kevin Warsh nomination, even after President Donald Trump named Warsh as his choice.
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Bessent raised the issue during Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures. He referenced statements from Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who said he will block the Kevin Warsh nomination until the DOJ investigation into Jerome Powell reaches an outcome.
“Senator Tillis has come out and said he thinks that Kevin Warsh is an extreme candidate,” Scott Bessent said.
He added, “So I would say, why don’t we get the hearings underway and see where Jeanine Pirro’s investigation goes?”
Kevin Warsh Nomination Tied to Jerome Powell Probe in Senate Banking Committee Fight
The Kevin Warsh nomination now sits inside a standoff linked to the Jerome Powell probe.
Tillis, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, said he will not move forward on the Fed chair confirmation while the DOJ investigation remains active.
Tillis said he wants the Justice Department to get “to the truth” first. The report described the move as part of a push to protect Federal Reserve independence while the Jerome Powell probe continues.
“I’d be one of the first people to introduce Mr. Warsh if we’re behind this and support him, but not before this matter is settled,”
Thom Tillis told CNBC on Wednesday. His statement tied his vote on the Kevin Warsh nomination to the status of the DOJ investigation.
Scott Bessent Pushes Hearings for Federal Reserve Chair Nominee During DOJ Investigation
Scott Bessent urged lawmakers to separate the hearing schedule from the Jerome Powell probe.
He said the Senate Banking Committee should still hold hearings for the Federal Reserve chair nominee while the DOJ investigation plays out.
Bessent framed the hearing stage as a normal part of the Fed chair confirmation track. He also linked the timing to the work led by Jeanine Pirro, who the report said leads the DOJ investigation.
Bessent repeated that Tillis labeled Warsh an “extreme candidate.” Then he said the committee should begin hearings and watch how “Jeanine Pirro’s investigation” develops.
Senate Banking Committee Numbers Complicate Fed Chair Confirmation for Kevin Warsh Nomination
Republicans hold 13 of 24 seats on the Senate Banking Committee, the report said. That majority gives the party a route to move a Fed chair confirmation forward through a committee vote.
However, the same numbers highlight the impact of a single holdout. With Thom Tillis signaling opposition, the Kevin Warsh nomination could lose a needed vote inside the Senate Banking Committee.
The report said Tillis could force the outcome into Democratic hands. That shift would make Democratic votes central to whether the Federal Reserve chair nominee advances to the full Senate.
DOJ Investigation Into Jerome Powell Focuses on Fed Renovation Project and Subpoenas
The report said the DOJ investigation into Jerome Powell opened in early January. It said the DOJ served the Federal Reserve with grand jury subpoenas and referenced threats of criminal charges.
The probe relates to expenses tied to a multi year Fed renovation project at Fed office buildings, according to the report. It did not provide a specific total cost for the Fed renovation project.
Powell denied the allegations, the report said. On Jan. 11, he said the DOJ investigation was politically motivated. The report linked that claim to tensions over interest rate policy and President Donald Trump.
Fed Chair Confirmation Steps Set Path for Kevin Warsh Nomination
The report said Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh on Jan. 30 as the next Federal Reserve chair nominee. After that, the Fed chair confirmation process moves through defined steps.
First, the Federal Reserve chair nominee appears before the Senate Banking Committee for a review hearing. Next, the Senate Banking Committee votes on whether to send the Kevin Warsh nomination to the full Senate.
The committee can send the nominee with a favorable recommendation, a non favorable recommendation, or no recommendation.
Then the full Senate holds debate and a vote. If the Senate confirms the nominee, the nominee can be sworn in as Fed chair.
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Tatevik Avetisyan is an editor at Kriptoworld who covers emerging crypto trends, blockchain innovation, and altcoin developments. She is passionate about breaking down complex stories for a global audience and making digital finance more accessible.
📅 Published: February 9, 2026 • 🕓 Last updated: February 9, 2026
