U.S. President Donald Trump announced on December 2 (local time) that he would nominate the next chairman of the Federal Reserve (Fed) early next year.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting he presided over at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said, "We will be announcing someone, probably early next year, as the new Fed chairman."

Trump mentioned to reporters on his plane traveling from Florida to Washington D.C. on November 30 that he already had a nominee for the next Fed chairman in mind.

In political circles, there is speculation that Kevin Hassett, Chairman of the White House National Economic Council (NEC), is a strong contender for the next Fed chairman.

In addition, former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh, Fed Governor Christopher Waller, Fed Governor Michelle Bowman (also Vice Chair for Bank Supervision), and Rick Rieder, Chief Investment Officer of Fixed Income at asset management firm BlackRock, are known to be among the potential candidates.

Trump also announced plans to deploy the National Guard to New Orleans, Louisiana within weeks.

"This is at the request of Governor (Jeff) Landry of Louisiana," Trump explained, "A great governor asked for help in New Orleans."

Trump has sought to deploy the National Guard to cities like Chicago, Illinois, and Portland, Oregon, but these cities, controlled by Democrats, have opposed such deployments.

Louisiana's Governor Landry is a Republican, while the mayor of New Orleans is a Democrat.

Additionally, Trump announced plans to redevelop Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C.

"We are going to rebuild Dulles Airport. It is not a good airport at all right now. It has to be a great airport," Trump emphasized.

Trump presiding over a cabinet meeting. EPA Yonhap News

Yonhap News