Powell Blames Trump-Era Policies for Economic Struggles as Fed Holds Steady

Powell warned Americans are still facing economic strain—slow job gains, a largely unchanged unemployment rate, and elevated inflation—even as the Fed left rates unchanged, and he rejected Trump’s push for rate cuts, linking inflation to tariffs and noting gas/oil price pressures from Middle East tensions; the piece also covers Powell’s DOJ probe, GOP defense of Fed independence, and a Warsh succession plan as his term ends in 2028.