Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell told reporters Thursday he would not step down from his appointed position if Donald Trump asked him to, saying he’d have no obligation to leave if the president requested it before the end of his term in 2026.

Speculation arises over Trump's ability to fire Fed chief Powell, highlighting the Fed's independence from presidential influence.

The question of whether Mr. Powell might be on the chopping block should Trump serve a second term has been the subject of debate through the course

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said he would not resign from his position if President-elect Donald Trump asks him to do so.

Trump nominated Powell in 2018, but later turned on him. During his time in the White House, Trump and his advisers decided against trying to remove Powell, but it didn’t stop him from attacking the Fed chair’s performance during his time as president or in the run-up to this week’s election.

Jerome Powell was prepared to go to court when the president floated his dismissal six years ago. If it happens again, the Fed chair might have to pay the legal tab himself.

Trump weighed ousting Powell in 2018, but the Fed chief told then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin that he would fight his removal, according to the Wall Street Journal.