Bloomberg Talks Republican Senator Thom Tillis Talks Kevin Warsh, Federal Reserve
Jan 30, 2026
Thom Tillis, Republican senator from North Carolina focused on financial oversight and Fed independence, discusses blocking Fed nominations until DOJ and Supreme Court matters are resolved. He explains contingency plans for Fed leadership, why the Lisa Cook case matters, and his view of Kevin Warsh’s reputation. He also addresses timelines, communication with the White House, and preserving institutional separation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Blocking Nominations To Defend Fed Independence
- Sen. Thom Tillis will block Fed nominations until the DOJ investigation into Powell is resolved.
- He says this stance signals that Fed independence is critically important to markets and business confidence.
Quorum Exists Despite Leadership Uncertainty
- Tillis says the Senate still has a working quorum and the executive branch can manage Fed leadership gaps.
- He frames the DOJ action as initiated by an ambitious prosecutor rather than the Senate's responsibility to create the situation.
Two Cases Signal A Trend Threatening The Fed
- Tillis links the Powell prosecution and the Lisa Cook case as part of a concerning trend threatening Fed independence.
- He wants both matters resolved before considering new Fed nominees to avoid rewarding perceived politicization.