US President Donald Trump has asserted his influence on the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) future leadership. In a recent statement, he revealed that ‘people are trying to stop me from firing Powell’, suggesting a potential shakeup in the position. While acknowledging both expected and unexpected candidates for the Fed chair role, Trump confidently stated, ‘I pretty much know who the new Fed Chair will be’. 3 weeks before the Fed’s pivotal meeting, uncertainty remains, as the government shutdown continues to disrupt economic data collection. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced a delayed September employment report release, while the White House indicated potential skipping of October data and possible November challenges due to the ongoing shutdown. This commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice.