Powell Steps into the Spotlight: A Clash of Powers

Jerome Powell, the head of the Federal Reserve, is making a bold move. He plans to attend a Supreme Court hearing about Lisa Cook, a Fed governor. This is unusual because Powell usually stays out of such matters. Cook is in trouble. The Trump administration wants to fire her. They say she did something wrong with mortgages. Cook says she didn't. The Supreme Court is deciding if Trump can fire her. Powell is showing his support for Cook. This is a big deal because Powell usually doesn't get involved in these kinds of fights. But things have changed. Trump has been attacking the Fed. He wants Powell to lower interest rates. Powell has already lowered them three times. But Trump wants them even lower. Powell says no. He thinks the rates are fine where they are.This is a big fight. It's about power. The Fed is supposed to be independent. That means the president shouldn't tell them what to do. But Trump is trying to do just that. Powell is pushing back. He's saying the Fed won't be controlled by the president. This is a big test for the Fed. It's a test for democracy too. The Supreme Court will decide if the president can fire Fed governors. If they say yes, it could change everything. Powell is in a tough spot. He was appointed by Trump. But now they are on opposite sides. Powell is standing up for the Fed. He's standing up for democracy. This is a big moment. It will show if the Fed can stay independent. It will show if the president can be stopped.