National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett has said that the independence of the US central bank is “really important” as President Donald Trump moves closer to choosing the next chair of the Federal Reserve. Hassett, who is seen as one of the top contenders for the role, made the remarks during a television interview on Tuesday. Hassett did not directly address whether he expects to be selected. Instead, he focused on how the Federal Reserve should operate. He said decisions on interest rates must be driven by facts, data, and agreement among policymakers, not personal loyalty or political pressure. He stressed that the Federal Reserve works best when its leadership listens to many voices. He pointed to the role of the Federal Open Market Committee, which brings together board members and regional bank leaders. According to Hassett, strong debate and shared judgment are essential to setting policy that supports the wider economy. The comments come as Trump is widely expected to announce his choice for the next Fed chair soon. Jerome Powell, who currently leads the central bank, is nearing the end of his second term. While Trump appointed Powell, he has often criticized him and the pace of interest rate cuts. Until recently, Hassett was viewed as the leading candidate to replace Powell. That view shifted last week when Trump said former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh had moved into strong contention after meeting with him. Both men are now seen as top finalists. Hassett has faced some resistance from within Trump’s advisory circle. According to people familiar with the discussions, some advisors worry that Hassett’s close working relationship with Trump could raise concerns about the Fed’s independence. They fear markets may think he would follow the president’s wishes rather than the Fed’s legal mandate. That mandate focuses on two main goals. The Fed aims to keep prices stable and support full employment. These goals often require careful balancing, especially during times of economic uncertainty. Hassett rejected the idea that personal ties to the president should count against a candidate. He said working well with the president should not disqualify anyone from serving in a senior role. In his view, experience and trust can help a leader communicate clearly without undermining independence. Trump has repeatedly called for faster and deeper interest rate cuts. His comments have continued even after the Fed approved three rate reductions since September. Together, those cuts lowered rates by three quarters of a percentage point. Despite those moves, Trump has said the Fed should do more. One recent appointee to the Fed board has also pushed for larger cuts. That official voted against all three recent reductions, arguing for bigger moves each time. Hassett said consensus building is the right way forward for the central bank. He repeated that policy choices should be based on economic evidence. If decisions turn out to be wrong, he said, the Fed should explain its thinking and make corrections. He also addressed Trump’s view that the Fed should consult the president on interest rates. Hassett said the president has long experience watching the economy. If the president raises a strong point, others may agree after reviewing the data. Still, Hassett emphasized that the final decisions must rest with the committee. The Fed’s independence has long been seen as vital to financial stability. Investors and global markets often react strongly to any sign that political leaders could influence rate decisions. Even small doubts can lead to market swings and higher borrowing costs. Hassett and Warsh are part of a group of five finalists being considered. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is leading the selection process. He said in a separate interview that a decision is likely to come in early January. As the announcement approaches, the debate over Hassett Fed independence has moved into sharper focus. The choice of chair will shape interest rate policy at a critical time. It will also signal how the next phase of relations between the White House and the central bank may unfold.