The central bank remains cautious, even as calls for rate cuts grow louder from the White House and other policymakers.

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.

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.