Stephen Moore, President Trump’s pick for the Federal Reserve Board who withdrew his name Thursday, said in a letter to the president he was dropping out of contention because could not endure the personal attacks.
“I am respectfully asking that you withdraw my name from consideration,” Moore, who served as an economic advisor to Trump’s 2016 campaign and helped author the 2017 tax cut bill, wrote. “The unrelenting attacks on my character have become untenable for me and my family and 3 more months of this would be too hard on us.”
While the president initially asked Moore to serve on the Fed, he never sent his nomination to the Senate.
As soon as his name was floated, however, lawmakers in both parties showed lukewarm enthusiasm for Moore, questioning his qualifications for the job. Opposition escalated within the GOP when writings by Moore considered inflammatory against women surfaced.
[Related: Trump says he won’t nominate Stephen Moore to Fed]
By mid-week, Moore’s nomination appeared doomed to fail in the Senate, where Republicans control 53 votes and would have needed at least 50 to confirm him. Trump announced Moore’s withdrawal on twitter Thursday afternoon.
….and deregulation which have produced non-inflationary prosperity for all Americans. I’ve asked Steve to work with me toward future economic growth in our Country.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 2, 2019
Moore’s letter to Trump was upbeat, praising the president for the strong economy and pledged to keep helping him.
“Your economic policies have been a spectacular success for American workers,” Moore wrote. “I will continue to be a loud economic voice advocating for your policies, which will keep us on a prosperous path of 3 to 4% growth with rising wages and low inflation for as far as the eye can see. I am always at your disposal.”
