Bescent supports Milan's temporary departure from the White House as a Fed governor, saying it arranges compliance and sends a return signal

Mr. Bescent, the US Treasury secretary, defended a special staffing arrangement that would allow Mr. Milan to step aside from the White House while serving as a governor of the Federal Reserve. "If he does not choose to step aside [from the White House] but simply resigns, the White House position will remain vacant; and when he leaves the Fed in January or February next year, he will have to be re-confirmed by the Senate to return to the White House. I think the message is clear: the plan is for him to return to the White House Council of Economic Advisers [in the future] and serve as chairperson," Mr. Bescent explained. Mr. Milan said at his Senate nomination hearing that he would join the Fed on unpaid leave, but did not specify how long he would serve at the Fed.