Fed Chair Powell Highlights War, Inflation, Legal Attacks, Independence

Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, delivered a press conference in Washington, D.C., after keeping U.S. interest rates unchanged. He addressed the ongoing U.S.–Israel conflict involving Iran, reiterated concerns about inflation, discussed recent legal challenges to the Fed, and reaffirmed the central bank’s independence.

Powell noted that the war between the United States and Israel, with Iran’s involvement, remains a key geopolitical concern. He also emphasized that inflationary pressures persist and that the Fed’s policy decisions are guided by economic data rather than external pressures.

The chair concluded by stressing the importance of maintaining the Fed’s autonomy in monetary policy, warning against political interference, and reaffirming the institution’s commitment to its dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability.