Jerome Powell says the $39 trillion national debt is ‘not unsustainable,’ but warns the trajectory ‘will not end well’

On March 30, 2026, Jerome Powell, the Chair of the Federal Reserve, addressed the alarming state of the U.S. national debt, which has now escalated to an astonishing $39 trillion. During his comments, Powell acknowledged the debt's status as ‘not unsustainable,’ yet expressed significant apprehension regarding its current trajectory, asserting that the situation ‘will not end well’ if it remains unaddressed. This development is fostering growing concerns among economists and policymakers as they evaluate the potential repercussions for economic stability.