Yet what was most interesting was what he didn't say when probed on the red-hot-button issues around Fed independence - issues that threaten to undermine investors' faith in the central ⁠bank. And this is not just an academic matter; uncertainty about Fed independence is already having market implications. And that speaks volumes about ​the unusual place the Fed finds itself. Now that the president has indicated that he will keep the former frontrunner, White House economic adviser ⁠Kevin Hassett, in his current position, the short list seems to have narrowed to three: Fed Governor Christopher ‌Waller, former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh, and BlackRock bond fund chief Rick Rieder. ⁠Subscribe to hear Reuters journalists discuss the biggest news in markets and finance seven days a week.