Washington — President Trump on Tuesday asked a group of House Republicans if he should fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell — and people in the room voiced approval. Several sources said Mr. Trump indicated he will do it. Mr. Trump on Wednesday confirmed to reporters in the Oval Office that he spoke to lawmakers about ousting Powell.

President Trump asked a group of Republican lawmakers how they felt about him firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and told them he would "likely" fire Powell "soon," according to two White House officials and sources familiar with the Tuesday evening meeting.

Gold prices eased on Thursday, pressured by a firmer U.S. dollar, as investor worries eased temporarily after President Donald Trump said he did not plan to oust Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

The president waved a copy of a draft letter firing Jerome H. Powell at a meeting in the Oval Office with House Republicans. It remains to be seen whether he follows through with his threat.

Reports of Trump firing Fed Chair Powell caused major indexes to fall midday Wednesday, but losses were pared as Trump backed off.

The president suggested he could attempt to remove the Fed chair for cause, arguing the central bank spent too much money on renovations of two historic office buildings.

The Supreme Court cleared the way for mass Education Department layoffs, bolstering President Donald Trump’s federal workforce cuts while legal battles continue.

Speaker Mike Johnson is trying again to pass landmark cryptocurrency legislation this week after Tuesday’s failed rule vote. This time, President Donald Trump says he has the votes.