Jerome Powell Talks Fed Independence in Dallas

Last week, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell spoke at an event in Dallas. He emphasized the importance of the Fed's independence from politics. Powell got a big laugh from the crowd when he avoided talking about President Trump's plans to deport undocumented immigrants. He made it clear that politics would only distract the Fed from its goals of controlling inflation and supporting jobs. Powell explained that the Fed needs to stay out of politics to do its job well. He said that political influences could make it harder for the Fed to keep inflation in check and maintain a strong job market. He also mentioned that a president can't fire the Fed chairman, and he might even challenge any attempts to do so. The Fed has dealt with economic changes before, like tariffs. Powell said they have the tools to handle these situations, and their main focus is on how new policies affect their goals of maximum employment and stable prices. Powell started the event by praising the U. S. economy, saying it's the best among major economies. He talked about key measures like workforce participation and consumer spending. The Fed has been lowering interest rates to control inflation without hurting the economy. When asked if the Fed's independence helped cool inflation, Powell said that people's beliefs about inflation play a big role. If people think inflation will be high, it probably will be. But if they think it will come down, they'll make sure it does. The Fed's quick response to inflation helped keep expectations low. The Fed might cut rates more, but Powell didn't give details because of the upcoming Trump administration. He became Fed chairman in 2018 and might stay on the board until 2028, but he hasn't decided yet.