Trump: I don’t intend to fire Federal Reserve Chairman

US President Donald Trump argued with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell during a rare visit to the central bank, criticizing the cost of renovating two historic buildings at the central bank’s headquarters and demanding lower interest rates.

Trump concluded his visit by saying he had no intention of firing Powell, contrary to what he has repeatedly said, bluntly saying, “It’s a big step, and I don’t think it’s necessary,” according to Reuters.

The tension between the two men at the site of the Fed’s massive renovation project was clearly evident, marking an escalation of White House pressure on the central bank and Trump’s efforts to get Powell to “do the right thing” on interest rates.