Trump claims Federal Reserve had become ‘distracted’ as he swears in new chair Kevin Warsh – US politics live | Donald Trump

Donald Trump’s nominee for surgeon general sells an herbal supplement that contains an ingredient prohibited by the US military and which health experts have warned can cause liver damage.

Dr Nicole Saphier’s record of selling dietary supplements, which are only loosely regulated in the US, has raised concern among doctors and consumer advocates, some of whom allege she sells “snake oil”.

Amazon said it had opened an investigation into the products after the Guardian inquired whether they were in compliance with the company’s policies on supplement sales.

“Nobody who prides themselves as rigorous about science is in the supplement business,” said Dr Peter Lurie of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a food and health watchdog organization. Lurie has been an outspoken critic of what he called wellness industry “grifters” inside health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s Make America Healthy Again (Maha) movement, who he said sold consumers poorly regulated supplements with unsupported claims.

The surgeon general is considered America’s doctor, responsible for communicating the best scientific information to Americans about how to improve their health. Previous surgeons general have issued influential warnings on tobacco use and educated the public about Aids.

Saphier specializes in breast cancer as a radiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New Jersey and is a former contributor to Fox News. She is Trump’s third pick for the job after his first two failed to advance in the Senate.

Saphier and her company, Drop RX, did not respond to several emails seeking comment.

“Dr Nicole Saphier is an accomplished physician who has practiced radiology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering and has been an outspoken voice on breast cancer prevention, intrusive COVID-19 mandates, the politicization of science, and the federal government’s role in America’s chronic disease epidemic,” the White House spokesperson Kush Desai wrote in an email. “She will be a powerful asset for President Trump and work tirelessly to deliver on every facet of his Maha agenda.”

As Warsh’s swearing-in ceremony came to a close, he met government leaders and officials in the audience, before exiting the room.

“My goal now is to create an environment in which the best people can do their life’s best work and to face every challenge in the spirit of common purpose and motion to the national interest, in a word, to excellence,” said Warsh towards the end of his speech.

Warsh said he will lead a “reform-oriented Federal Reserve”, describing his mandate promoting “price stability and maximum employment”.

He said: “inflation can be lower, growth stronger, real take-home pay higher, and America can be more prosperous, and no less important,” adding that “America’s place in the world [would be] more secure.”

“It is such an honor for Jane and me to have this ceremony here in the East Room with you, sir,” said Warsh as he started his speech. “I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting or more gracious welcome, and I am grateful.”

Warsh described Justice Clarence Thomas as “a joyful and collegial presence on our highest court” and his “esteemed friend”.

He also spoke about Justice Brett Kavanaugh:

As young staffers, a full generation ago in this building, and I shouldn’t be speaking for another justice, but I will tell you something that I always felt that Justice Kavanaugh and I felt the majesty of this place where we’re now sitting, and we counted ourselves blessed and grateful to serve the nation we love.

Justice Clarence Thomas was called up to stage by Trump, to help Warsh swear in as chair of the federal reserve.

Trump spoke about how under his leadership the medical and auto industries had moved their manufacturing to the US.

He quipped about not knowing if its easier to be the president of the US or a justice of the supreme court.

On Thursday Trump said the justices in the supreme court don’t listen to what he thinks, in regards to the upcoming birthright citizenship decision.

Trump said many of the regulations he has cut have led to the creation of more jobs and lowered costs and increased economic growth.

Jobless claims recently hit the lowest level since 1969. Five million people have been lifted off of the food stamps. In a short period of time, more Americans are working today than ever before. And very importantly, 100% of the net new jobs under this administration have been created in the private sector.

On the military, Trump said the GOP will be submitting a military budget for $1.5tn.

“We have the greatest military in the world,” he said. “I built it during my first term. I didn’t know we’d be using it so much in my second term.”

Trump said when he turned on the television to see how the stock market was doing, it was up by 600 points. “That means they like you,” he said.

Trump spoke about how he believed the US Federal Reserve had lost its way recently.

It became distracted by concerns far removed from its core mission and mandate, drifting into matters such as climate policy and DEI initiatives, with the Fed strength from its mandate, while the last administration blew out the deficit, Americans suffered the worst inflation that we had in history. It was the worst inflation we’ve ever had. As you know, there’s some people say you’re wrong about that.

The president was hopeful that Warsh would bring about positive economic growth.

It’s so important, and as we discussed, economic growth doesn’t mean inflation, it can be just the opposite, actually. But economic growth does not mean inflation. You don’t have to stop the world because you’re doing well. Kevin’s also said that he’ll bring much-needed reform and modernization transforming obsolete data collection methods, rolling back reliance on inaccurate models and curtailing the Fed’s practice of issuing so-called forward guidance.

Trump advised Warsh to be totally independent as the Fed chair.

“I want him to be independent and just do a great job,” said Trump. “Don’t look at me, don’t look at anybody, just do your own thing and do a great job.”

Trump also gave a shout-out to the acting attorney general, even without being able to spot him in the audience.

He’s pretty busy. He’s kept very busy. I’ll just say he’s doing a very good job working together, right? He’s doing a great job, actually.