US President Donald Trump has threatened to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if he does not step aside at the end of his term in May. The two have been embroiled in a bitter spat over Powell's reluctance to cut the central bank's interest rate, despite Trump's repeated calls. Powell's term expires on 15 May, but he is planning to remain in post until his successor, Kevin Warsh, is confirmed by the Senate. 'Then I'll have to fire him,' Trump told Fox Business when asked about Powell's plans to stay on in the job. 'I've held back firing him. I've wanted to fire him, but I hate to be controversial,' Trump stated. Influential Republican Senator Thom Tillis has threatened to block Warsh's confirmation unless a criminal investigation regarding Powell linked to a Federal Reserve building renovation is dropped. Powell has said that he plans to stay on temporarily if Warsh isn't confirmed in time, citing legal protocols. Tillis's warning adds to the political pressure surrounding Powell, as Trump continues to express dissatisfaction with the Fed's direction under his leadership. Meanwhile, Trump hopes for bipartisan support for Warsh's appointment as he navigates this ongoing controversy regarding the Federal Reserve's leadership and policy direction.