President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has removed himself from consideration to succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair, leaving four candidates on the shortlist. In an interview with CNBC, Trump said Bessent “wants to stay where he is.” The president identified former Fed governor Kevin Warsh and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett among the remaining contenders but did not name the other two. Powell’s term ends in May 2026, and Trump, who has faulted the Fed for maintaining its target range at 4.25%–4.50%, indicated he could announce a decision "soon." The search unfolds amid broader turnover at the central bank. Fed Governor Adriana Kugler will step down on Aug. 8, giving Trump another vacancy to fill and potentially increasing White House influence over future monetary policy.