“Like many other institutions, the Fed has been undergoing a stress test,” he said on Sunday as he accepted an award from the John F Kennedy Library Foundation.
“If any administration finds a way to remove Fed officials over policy differences, then future administrations will do so as well,” Powell said, in a barely veiled reference to the Trump administration’s attempt to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook.
“The public would lose faith that the central bank will make decisions based only on what’s best for all Americans.”
In his second term in power, Trump has frequently criticised and insulted Powell, alleging he was too slow to lower interest rates.
Trump’s Justice Department went so far as to pursue criminal charges against the Fed chair over a building renovation project.
The probe was eventually dropped to smooth the path towards Powell’s successor being confirmed by the Senate.
Separately, Trump also sought to remove Cook over mortgage fraud allegations.
The Supreme Court is due to rule on the legality of the move.
“Our credibility has been built and sustained over many decades, and we have a duty to safeguard that priceless asset for our fellow citizens and for generations to come,” said Powell.
The former Fed chair received the John F Kennedy Profile In Courage Award “for protecting the independence of the Federal Reserve”, the foundation said.
Powell stepped down as chair at the end of his term last month and has been succeeded by Trump nominee Kevin Warsh.
In an unusual move for outgoing Fed chiefs, Powell chose to remain on the board for the remainder of his term as a governor, which ends in 2028.
He did so citing threats to the Fed’s independence, and promised to keep a “low profile.”
Also given the award on Sunday were “The People of the Twin Cities of Minnesota,” in recognition for “risking their lives to protect their neighbours and immigrant community members from an unprecedented federal law enforcement operation”, the foundation said.
Trump ordered a massive surge of immigration enforcement operations in the “twin cities” of St Paul and Minneapolis this year, resulting in widespread demonstrations and the killings of at least two US citizen protesters and one migrant. (AFP)
