In his final press conference as Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell highlighted the vital need for the Fed to remain free from political influence to effectively serve the American public. He congratulated Kevin Warsh on his progress in the confirmation process to succeed him, emphasizing that the Fed's independence is crucial for the health of the U.S. economy. Powell noted that he will stay on the board of the Federal Reserve for an unspecified duration after his term ends next month, citing concerns over recent legal actions from the Trump administration that he believes undermine the institution's integrity. He warned that if administrations could dismiss the Fed chair based on differing monetary policy views, it would jeopardize the Fed's ability to operate independently. Powell expressed his intention to support Warsh as he transitions into the role and assured that he would not act as a shadow chair, respecting the chair's authority to lead the board.