Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell has reiterated that rate decisions will be data-driven — by inflation, and employment.

The newly published meeting minutes highlighted a divide over how Federal Reserve officials expect the economy to respond to President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Trump hopes to get lower rates by replacing Fed Chair Jerome Powell with someone who would do what the president wants. But Powell’s term as chair does not end until May 2026. He’s insisted he won’t resign early.

Federal Reserve Governor Chris Waller said on Thursday said he favors cutting the Fed's policy rate in July. He also discussed the Fed's balance sheet and why it should continue to pay interest on bank reserves.

The U.S. central bank’s decision to hold interest rates steady in June was unanimously supported, but officials were starting to splinter over the path forward.

The right to freedom of speech allows Trump to make demands of the Fed to his heart's content. But legally, he cannot compel the central bank to lower its benchmark interest rate. The Fed has the right to act independently, and its aim is to promote a healthy and stable economy by keeping inflation in check.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell has sketched out new conditions that could trigger rate cuts by summer’s end, but inflation remains a big question.

Federal Reserve governor Christopher Waller said Thursday that the central bank should consider cutting interest rates at its July meeting, even after a strong June jobs report.