Democratic Party criticizes Stephen Moore's transfer to the Federal Reserve as absurd, Bernard speaks out in support.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Benett defended a special arrangement that allows Stephen Milan to take a leave of absence from his White House role while serving as a Federal Reserve Board member. "I think this is completely routine," Benett said in an interview on Tuesday. Benett explained, "If he didn't take a leave of absence and simply resigned, the position would remain vacant, and when he leaves in January or February next year, he would need to be reconfirmed. I think the signal this sends is that there is a plan for him to return to the White House as chairman of the Economic Advisory Council." Milan told senators during his confirmation hearing that he would take an unpaid leave of absence to join the Federal Reserve, but the duration is not yet clear. Democrats have called the temporary leave absurd, posing a threat to the central bank's independence, especially as President Trump seeks to dismiss Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook and boasts to reporters that he will soon have a "majority" on the board.