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

February 4, 2026 12:04 PM EST

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies before a House Financial Services Committee hearing about the annual report of the Financial Stability Oversight Council, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 4, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper

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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