WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he was “highly unlikely” to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, a public statement made less than 24 hours after suggesting in a private meeting that he was leaning in favor of dismissing the head of the nation's central bank.

Trump and other White House figures have launched a multi-pronged attack on Powell as push the central bank to lower is key borrowing rate. Most recently, they have blasted Powell after renovations to the Fed's Washington headquarters, raising suspicion that Trump could try to remove the Fed leader for cause.