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Economy January 22, 2026

White House Economic Adviser Highlights BlackRock’s Rieder in Federal Reserve Leadership Discussion

Kevin Hassett emphasizes independence and mandate respect for next Fed Chair, acknowledges Rieder’s expertise amid leadership speculation

By Jordan Park
White House Economic Adviser Highlights BlackRock’s Rieder in Federal Reserve Leadership Discussion

Kevin Hassett, a White House economic adviser and candidate for the Federal Reserve chairmanship, underlined the importance of appointing an independent leader who honors the Fed's mandates. During a CNBC interview, Hassett expressed respect for Rick Rieder of BlackRock, praising his bond market expertise as the race to succeed Jerome Powell continues. Hassett also conveyed optimism about U.S. economic growth prospects, anticipating the potential for consecutive quarters exceeding 5% growth.

Key Points

  • Kevin Hassett stresses that the next Federal Reserve Chair should be an independent figure who honors the Fed’s mandates, highlighting institutional autonomy as a priority.
  • Rick Rieder, BlackRock’s chief bond investment strategist, receives commendation from Hassett for his expertise, positioning him as a strong contender in the Fed chair discussion.
  • Hassett projects a positive economic trajectory for the United States, anticipating the possibility of two consecutive quarters with growth exceeding 5%, signaling robust economic recovery potential.

Kevin Hassett, serving as an economic adviser within the White House and vying to succeed Jerome Powell as head of the Federal Reserve, articulated his view on the desirable qualities for the institution's next leader. Speaking Thursday during a CNBC interview, Hassett stated that it is essential for the upcoming Federal Reserve Chair to embody independence and a firm commitment to the Federal Reserve's defined mandates.

Within this context, Hassett highlighted Rick Rieder, BlackRock's leading bond portfolio manager, as a notable figure in the ongoing consideration for the Fed chair role. "I’ve known Rick for many years, and in my opinion, he is the foremost expert in bond management," Hassett remarked, emphasizing Rieder's deep experience in fixed income markets.

In addition to discussing leadership candidates, Hassett provided an optimistic assessment of the current U.S. economic landscape. He projected that the economy might achieve back-to-back quarters with growth rates surpassing 5%, reflecting a strong economic momentum amid ongoing recovery efforts.

These comments arrive amid a competitive process to appoint a successor to Jerome Powell, with considerations focused on maintaining an autonomous Federal Reserve leadership that upholds its core responsibilities. Hassett’s recognition of Rieder underscores the significance placed on expertise in bond markets and independent stewardship as pivotal qualities for the Fed's future direction.

Risks

  • The Federal Reserve leadership selection entails uncertainty around maintaining independence and strict adherence to mandated responsibilities, which could influence monetary policy consistency.
  • The competitive nature of the Fed chair candidacy, including varying backgrounds such as investment management versus traditional central banking, may introduce shifts in policy perspectives affecting financial markets.
  • Economic forecasts remain inherently uncertain; while optimism about consecutive high-growth quarters exists, unforeseen macroeconomic factors could alter this outlook, impacting market sectors reliant on stable growth projections.

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