Trump Fed nominee faces bi-partisan doubters

Federal Reserve board nominee Judy Shelton on Thursday faced sharp questioning from Democrat and Republican lawmakers on the Senate Banking Committee who challenged her independence from President Donald Trump.

When asked if she disagreed with Trump's very public criticism of Fed chairman Jerome Powell, she told lawmakers it was 'refreshing' to see the President publicly do what has been privately done in the past.

Trump has repeatedly used Twitter to call on the Fed to dramatically slash interest rates.

Despite seeing nothing wrong with Trump's tactics, Shelton said if she was confirmed she would be independent and work with her fellow board members.

Shelton was also under scrutiny for espousing views that have been characterized as being far outside the mainstream.

In past writings she has advocated a return to linking the value of the dollar to gold, something referred to as the gold standard, but several times during her confirmation hearing she backed away from that view.