In both economics and politics, there is a widespread view that central banks should be free of political pressure, with cautionary tales around the world of what happens when politicians meddle: out of control inflation, spiraling debt crises and economic collapse.
And with the U.S. Federal Reserve's independence now under attack by President Trump, WSJ chi ... Show More
Aug 30
How AI Speculation Is Fueling the Small-Cap Stock Rally
On this week’s episode of WSJ’s Take On the Week, host Miriam Gottfried and guest host Aaron Back, editor of WSJ’s Heard on the Street, preview the upcoming employment and inflation releases in advance of the Federal Open Market Committee’s September policy meeting. They analyze ... Show More
29m 20s
Sep 2025
Here’s Why Trump’s Fed Pressure Campaign May Deliver
Donald Trump has never hidden his frustration with the Federal Reserve — and now, back in the White House, his attacks have only intensified. From insults directed at Chair Jerome Powell to threats against Fed Governor Lisa Cook, the president is waging an extraordinary campaign ... Show More
7m 46s
Mar 2025
Can the Fed stay independent?
<p>President Donald Trump has loudly proclaimed his desire for lower interest rates. Jay Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, responding to persistent inflation, has kept rates higher. And keeps mentioning that he can’t be fired. But is this true? Today on the show, the FT’s eco ... Show More
21 m
May 2024
Swamp Notes: The Fed’s political pressures
<p>The US Federal Reserve is fiercely independent, but that doesn’t mean politicians always treat it that way. The FT’s US national editor, Edward Luce, and acting US economics editor, Claire Jones, join this week’s Swamp Notes to explain how the central bank’s policy could affec ... Show More
12m 32s
Sep 2025
Fed independence? Here’s why you should worry. With Peter Conti-Brown
President Donald Trump's attempt to fire Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate-setting board, is not the first time in the Fed’s history that there has been an attempt to politicise central banking. But Peter Conti-Brown, associate professor of financial regu ... Show More
31m 13s