Jerome Powell, in what is likely his final press conference as Chair of the Federal Reserve, confirmed he will remain on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors after his term ends on May 15, serving until January 2028. He emphasized his decision to stay was driven by the need to protect the Fed's independence from political pressures, particularly in light of attacks from President Donald Trump and concerns over ongoing investigations into the Federal Reserve's renovation costs. Powell congratulated Kevin Warsh, Trump's nominee for Fed Chair, as he approaches Senate confirmation, while maintaining that current interest rates are appropriate for guiding inflation back to the Fed’s 2% target. The Fed's statement acknowledged geopolitical uncertainties, particularly in the Middle East, and noted elevated inflation due to rising global energy prices. The meeting also revealed significant dissent among Fed officials, with three dissenting against the language hinting at future cuts, marking the most dissent-heavy meeting since 1992.