The political tensions between President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell have escalated in Congress, with President Trump threatening to fire Powell if he doesn't resign by a new May 15 deadline. This comes as Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh's confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee is set to be held on April 21. This follows the president's repeated attempts to force Powell to resign. The Department of Justice criminal probe of Powell is ongoing, despite unsubstantiated allegations of lying to Congress over the costs of the $2.5 billion restoration of Fed headquarters. Senate GOP leaders are reportedly trying to secure Warsh’s approval for his nomination, but without North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who supports Warsh otherwise, the nomination is effectively dead in the water. Democrats are increasing efforts to prevent the investigation into Powell and other Fed Governor Lisa D. Cook.