**["Fed's Mouthpiece": Bessent Continues Public Criticism of Powell, Aiming to Ensure His Departure from the Fed in May]** BlockBeats News, January 21: Nick Timiraos, a Wall Street Journal reporter known as the "Fed's Mouthpiece," wrote that Bessent has recently been publicly criticizing current Federal Reserve Chairman Powell. In an interview with CNBC yesterday, Bessent stated that Powell should not attend Wednesday's oral arguments in the case of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, as he believes Powell will attempt to "show favoritism" toward the Fed. Nick Timiraos hinted that prior to Bessent's public criticism of Powell, the Department of Justice launched an investigation into the Federal Reserve, which has made Bessent uneasy. Bessent is concerned that this investigation could complicate the Trump administration's efforts to confirm Powell's successor. Additionally, Bessent needs to ensure that Powell steps down from his position as a governor after his term as Fed Chairman ends in May.