President Trump is pressuring Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh to cut interest rates, escalating tension over Fed independence as inflation remains elevated at 3.4% annually. Trump adviser Kevin Hassett signaled the president will react strongly if the Fed raises rates Wednesday, reviving concerns about political pressure on monetary policy.
The Federal Reserve's September policy meeting began with markets expecting a 25 basis point interest rate hike on Wednesday, marking the first increase since 2023. Persistent inflation above the Fed's 2% target for over five years, exacerbated by Middle East tensions, has driven anticipation for the move, though a hold remains a possibility with a 92% probability of a hike priced in by traders.