The White House's Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) is seeing a significant leadership change. Professor Pierre Yared of Columbia University, who has been leading the CEA since September, is stepping down from the position and heading back to the Columbia Graduate School. Donald Trump announced the news on Truth Social, lavishing praise on Yared and calling him a "STAR."
Yared at the Helm Since September
Trump revealed that Yared had been leading the CEA since September, working alongside a team he affectionately called "Brainiacs." Together, they put in round-the-clock effort to advance the goal of making America economically stronger, and Trump said those efforts met with "Great Success." He described Yared as "very highly respected" and made clear how much value his contributions have brought to the council and to the country as a whole.
Trump's Own Words
Donald Trump posted on Truth Social:
"Since September, my Council of Economic Advisers has been led by the very highly respected Professor Pierre Yared, of Columbia University, as he and his team of 'Brainiacs' at the CEA have worked around the clock to Make America WEALTHY Again — with Great Success! Unfortunately, Pierre is returning to Columbia Graduate School where he is greatly respected by all. I want to thank Pierre for his terrific service to our Country, and wish him and his wonderful family all of the best for a healthy and happy future. Pierre is a STAR, and I thank him for his service. THANK YOU PIERRE, AND GOOD LUCK!"
A Return to Columbia
While Trump described Yared's departure as "unfortunate," he was equally emphatic in noting that Yared is "greatly respected by all" at the Columbia Graduate School. He extended warm personal wishes to Yared and his family, hoping for a "healthy and happy future," and expressed heartfelt gratitude for what he called "terrific service" to the country. Calling him a "STAR" was Trump's emphatic way of conveying how much he valued the economist's tenure at the CEA.
Leadership Transitions at the CEA
The CEA is a pivotal White House body that provides the U.S. President with expert guidance on all key matters of economic policy. Its members are typically drawn from prominent academic institutions, and movement between universities and the council has long been a familiar pattern. Yared's departure is part of a broader wave of leadership transitions at the council. Stephen Miran had also previously resigned from the CEA. With Yared now returning to academia, the White House faces the task of identifying a new person to lead one of its most important economic advisory bodies.
