U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has called on Federal Reserve nominees to pledge their commitment to protecting independent research. This follows remarks by National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, who suggested that authors of a New York Fed study should face "consequences" after the research found that most of the costs from former President Trump's tariffs were borne by U.S. companies.

Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, stated in a declaration that any Fed nominee must swear before Congress not to suppress independent research conducted by the Federal Reserve, including studies from regional Fed banks, nor punish experts for simply doing their jobs.

Referring to Hassett's comments earlier this week, Warren remarked, "This is not surprising from a desperate administration that has tried to take over the Fed and install Trump loyalists to mislead the American people about the state of the economy."

Although Warren cannot single-handedly block a Fed nominee, a majority of Republicans on the committee have repeatedly emphasized the importance of preserving the Fed's independence in monetary policy. Kevin Warsh, a former Fed governor nominated by Trump for the chairmanship, is expected to face questioning on this issue during future confirmation hearings.