Powell has been repeatedly criticized by the president over the U.S. central bank’s resistance to cut interest rates despite Trump’s demands to do so. In an interview with ABC’s “This Week,” Hassett was asked if the president has the authority to order Powell’s removal.

Top Trump administration officials have escalated their criticisms of Fed Chair Jerome Powell by targeting the Federal Reserve's renovation project.

President Trump could possibly fire Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell over questions about the renovation of Fed facilities, National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett said Sunday. Why it matters: The administration's relentless efforts to get Powell to either cut interest rates or leave have called the future independence of the central bank into question.