Trump expected to nominate Powell for Fed on Thursday: reports

President Trump is expected to nominate Federal Reserve Board Governor Jerome Powell on Thursday to be the next chairman of the central bank, according to multiple media reports.

Powell, a Republican appointed to the Fed by President Obama in 2012, was widely considered to be Trump’s top choice heading into this week.

The White House said today that Trump would name his pick for chairman on Thursday, following reports from Politico and Bloomberg that the president would nominate Powell.

{mosads}The New York Times and Washington Post also reported Trump’s choice, citing people familiar with the discussions.

Powell would replace current Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen, a Democrat, who in 2014 became the first woman to lead the bank.

Trump is reportedly choosing from among Powell, Yellen and Stanford University economist John Taylor to lead the Fed after Yellen’s term ends in February.

Powell had overseen the Fed’s financial regulatory efforts and earned the support of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin though their working relationship.

He’s previously been confirmed by a Democrat-controlled Senate. However, he was opposed in 2012 by 20 Republicans, including GOP leaders such as Sens. John Cornyn (Texas) and John Thune (S.D.).

Trump has also considered White House National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn and former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh for the spot, though both have slim chances of being selected.