New Delhi, April 15 -- US President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, saying he would consider firing him if he remains in office beyond the end of his term.

"Then I'll have to fire him," Trump told Fox Business.

"I've held back firing him. I've wanted to fire him, but I hate to be controversial."

Powell's term as chair is set to expire on May 15, but he has indicated he will stay on until a successor is confirmed.

Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh to replace Powell. However, the confirmation process has hit a snag, with Senator Thom Tillis vowing to block the nomination.

Tillis has linked his opposition to an ongoing Justice Department probe into the Federal Reserve's $2.5 billion hea...