President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he intends to announce his choice to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell “a little bit early,” adding that he has narrowed the field to three or four names. Powell’s four-year term ends in May 2026. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is overseeing the search, offered a wider view of the process, telling television interviewers the administration plans to interview 10 or 11 candidates. The expanded list includes Jefferies chief market strategist David Zervos, former Fed governor Larry Lindsey and BlackRock global fixed-income chief Rick Rieder. They join sitting officials such as Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson, Governor Chris Waller and Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan. Bessent also said the president briefly considered re-appointing former chair Janet Yellen, underscoring what he called Trump’s “very open mind.” Interviews are expected to begin in the coming weeks, after which a smaller group will meet again with senior officials before Trump makes his final decision. The early nomination would give markets a clearer view of future monetary policy before Powell’s term ends. Trump coupled the personnel news with renewed criticism of Powell’s stewardship, arguing that the Fed should cut its benchmark rate to about 1 percent—roughly 300 to 400 basis points below current levels. He said such a reduction could save the U.S. government almost $1 trillion a year in interest expense, comments that prompted traders to increase bets on easier monetary policy in 2026.