President Donald Trump on Tuesday told reporters at the White House that he has "no intentions" to fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, but still pushed him to lower interest rates.

“I have no intention of firing him,” Trump told the press. “I would like to see [Powell] being a little more active in terms of his idea to lower interest rates. This is a perfect time to lower interest rates. If he doesn’t, is it the end? No it’s not. But it would be good timing."

The comment occurred after the president participated in the formal swearing-in ceremony of new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins. In December, Trump tapped Atkins, who previously served as an SEC commissioner from 2002 through 2008, to lead the commission. 

He was confirmed by the Senate despite opposition to his role on the commission leading to the 2008 financial crisis.

You can watch the swearing in of Atkins and the president's full remarks to the press here.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.