US President Donald Trump launched a sharp attack on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and strongly defended the actions of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent involved in a fatal incident in Minnesota, dismissing accusations of political retaliation or abuse of authority.

Speaking in an interview with CBS News at a Ford assembly plant, Trump criticised Powell’s leadership of the US central bank, calling him “a lousy Fed chairman” and accusing him of mishandling interest rate policy. Trump said Powell had failed to act decisively to cut rates and was consistently “too late” in responding to economic conditions.

Trump also took aim at the cost of renovations at Federal Reserve buildings, alleging that expenses had spiraled into the billions. “I think I could have done that job for $25 million,” he said, accusing Powell of either corruption or incompetence. He rejected suggestions that any criminal probe involving the Fed chair was politically motivated, noting that Powell had been reappointed by former President Joe Biden.

When asked how the criticism might be perceived publicly, Trump said he could not control appearances, but insisted the broader economic picture justified his stance. He credited his administration with delivering what he described as one of the strongest economies in US history, citing growth in manufacturing, robust job creation, and record-high stock market performance.

On domestic security and immigration, Trump addressed the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota by an ICE agent, an incident that has drawn public scrutiny and concern from the victim’s family, including her father, a Trump supporter. While expressing sympathy, Trump defended the ICE agent’s actions, arguing that enforcement officers operate under intense pressure.

“I would bet you that she, under normal circumstances, was a very solid, wonderful person,” Trump said, while asserting that the situation involved “pretty tough” circumstances. He added that available video footage could be interpreted in different ways and cautioned against rushing to judgment.

Trump reiterated his strong support for ICE, blaming illegal immigration on policies implemented under the Biden administration. He claimed that lax enforcement had allowed dangerous criminals to enter the country and said ICE agents were working to remove violent offenders from US communities.

“We have hundreds of thousands of killers,” Trump said. “ICE is trying to get them out.”

Turning back to the economy, Trump acknowledged that many Americans continue to feel the strain of higher grocery prices but argued that inflation has eased significantly since he returned to office. He said his administration had inherited severe economic challenges, including inflation and crime, but claimed conditions had improved rapidly.

“I inherited a mess,” Trump said. “Now we have the hottest country in the world.”

Trump also defended his manufacturing and labor policies, highlighting the expansion of US auto plants and round-the-clock operations as signs of economic vitality. He acknowledged labor shortages but framed them as evidence of a strong job market, predicting that automation and robotics would play an increasingly important role in filling workforce gaps.

“I think robotics are going to be great,” Trump said, arguing that technological adoption was necessary due to labor constraints.

Asked about limits on presidential power, Trump said his actions were guided by moral considerations and constitutional boundaries. “I’m a moral person,” he said. “I don’t like seeing death.”