PANews reported on April 18 that when asked on Friday whether firing Federal Reserve Chairman Powell was an option, White House economic adviser Hassett said that Trump and his team would study the matter. "The president and his team will continue to study it," Hassett said in response to reporters' questions at the White House. The day before Hassett's exchange with the media, Trump intensified his long-simmering feud with Powell, accusing Powell of "playing politics" by not cutting interest rates and claiming that he has the power to oust Powell "very soon."