Dorothy

The Federal Reserve unanimously decided to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.5%–3.75%, marking the first pause in monetary policy adjustments since a series of cuts earlier in the year. The decision, made by a 10-2 vote of the Federal Open Market Committee, was driven by officials’ assessment that inflation remains under control and labor market conditions have stabilized, according to Reuters, USA Today, and Breitbart. The move came despite repeated public criticism from former President Donald Trump, who has urged the Fed to cut rates more aggressively to stimulate economic growth—a point emphasized by left-leaning outlets like The New York Times and NBC News, which framed the decision as a resistance to political pressure. While all sources agree on the rate decision and Trump’s public criticism, interpretations diverge on context and emphasis. Left- and center-leaning outlets such as The New York Times, NBC News, and USA Today focused on the Fed’s independence from political influence. In contrast, right-leaning sources like The Hill and New York Post highlighted ongoing legal scrutiny of Fed Chair Jerome Powell, noting a Justice Department probe into his conduct—an angle largely absent from left-leaning coverage. Fox News further expanded the narrative by quoting Powell warning that a Supreme Court case involving Governor Lisa Cook could pose “the most important legal case in the Fed’s 113-year history,” a perspective not mentioned by other outlets. Breitbart emphasized labor market stability as the primary rationale, while center sources like Reuters focused on Powell’s avoidance of questions about his future at the Fed. These variations reflect differing editorial priorities, but all confirm the core facts: rates were held steady, Trump criticized the decision, and Powell faced unusual public scrutiny.