Pierre Yared Departs as Acting Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, that Pierre Yared is leaving his role as acting chair of the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) during the National Association of Business Economics (NABE) conference in Washington, DC. Yared will return to Columbia Graduate School, where he has been a professor since 2007.

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The CEA, founded in 1946, advises the president on economic policy, both domestic and international. Pierre Yared assumed the acting chairmanship in September, succeeding the prior chair. Before joining the CEA, Yared was Professor of International Business in Columbia Business School’s economics division.

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• Pierre Yared – Acting chair of the CEA and professor at Columbia Business School.

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• Donald Trump – President of the United States, announced Yared’s departure on Truth Social.

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• Aaron Hedlund – Research fellow at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, listed as a CEA member.

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• September 2025 – Yared begins as acting chair of the CEA.

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• Feb. 24 2026 – Trump announces Yared’s exit at the NABE conference.

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• June 30 2026 – CNBC publishes a report on the announcement.

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In a Truth Social post, President Trump announced that Yared is returning to Columbia Graduate School, praised his team as “Brainiacs” who worked around the clock to make America wealthy again, and thanked him for his service while wishing his family health and happiness.

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The sources do not contain any public criticism or opposing commentary regarding Yared’s departure or the administration’s handling of the transition.

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The CEA’s official website continues to list Pierre Yared as acting chairman, and no successor has been formally announced. Consequently, the timeline for appointing a new chair remains unclear.

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• “is returning to Columbia Graduate School where he is greatly respected by all,” — Donald Trump, President

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• “and his team of 'Brainiacs' at the CEA have worked around the clock to Make America WEALTHY Again — with Great Success!” — Donald Trump

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• “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.” — Donald Trump

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• “Pierre Yared is leaving his role as the acting chairman of the White House's Council of Economic Advisers, President Donald Trump said Tuesday.” — Donald Trump

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The White House is expected to name a successor to the acting chairmanship, though no candidate has been identified. Updates to the CEA website are anticipated once a new appointment is confirmed. Yared is slated to resume full duties at Columbia Graduate School.

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