The Federal Reserve’s first rate hike in three years has exposed new tensions between President Donald Trump and Kevin Warsh, his handpicked Fed chairman. Trump suggested Warsh effectively had permission to support a rate increase he considered the wrong move because the chairman lacked enough votes on what Trump called a hostile committee. The comments revived concerns about whether Warsh is operating independently from the White House, a critical issue because the Fed’s decisions influence borrowing costs and inflation expectations. Former Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren said the chair does not need presidential permission to raise rates, while Evercore ISI’s Krishna Guha said markets viewed Warsh as owning the decision and having strong committee backing. Warsh declined to discuss his communications with Trump and said the Fed should stay in its lane. Analysts said the meeting initially strengthened Warsh’s standing, as he led the rate increase and explained it with unanimous support from colleagues, including former Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Trump criticized other Fed officials as hostile and political but called Warsh a good man. The relationship may deteriorate if the Warsh-led Fed continues raising rates, potentially leading to renewed White House criticism similar to Trump’s earlier conflict with Powell.