SINTRA, Portugal — Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh is scheduled to make his first major public appearance since assuming the role at the European Central Bank’s annual Forum on Central Banking this week.
Warsh, who was sworn in as the 17th chair of the U.S. central bank on May 22, 2026, after President Donald Trump nominated him in January and the Senate confirmed him in May, will participate in a panel discussion at the high-profile gathering in Sintra, Portugal. The forum, running from June 29 to July 1, brings together leading central bankers including ECB President Christine Lagarde, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey and Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem.
The appearance comes as Warsh begins reshaping the Fed’s approach following his first Federal Open Market Committee meeting in mid-June, where policymakers held interest rates steady. In his debut news conference on June 17, Warsh outlined plans for broad reviews of the central bank’s operations, communication practices and policy frameworks through multiple task forces.
Warsh has signaled a shift toward what he has described as a “regime change” at the Fed, emphasizing reforms in areas including forecasting, forward guidance and the use of new technologies. His early tenure has drawn attention amid ongoing debates over monetary policy independence and the central bank’s response to inflation and economic growth.
The Sintra forum, themed around innovation, growth and stability, offers Warsh an early opportunity to engage with international counterparts on global economic challenges. Observers expect the discussions to touch on policy divergence between major central banks and emerging issues such as digital innovation in finance.
The event coincides with other developments in Washington, including an anticipated U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the legality of efforts to remove a Fed governor, which could further test the boundaries of central bank independence.
Warsh previously served as a Fed governor from 2006 to 2011 and has worked in finance and as a White House aide. His return to the Fed marks a significant leadership transition after Jerome Powell’s tenure.
No specific details on Warsh’s prepared remarks for the Sintra panel have been released by the Fed. The forum’s proceedings are expected to provide further insight into how the new Fed chair intends to navigate both domestic policy priorities and international coordination.
