X2. Very well said Bryce.

So who oversees and insures the ongoing integrity of the Fed seven or the other 5 members of the Federal Open Market Committee after they have been appointed and confirmed?

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The President can remove board members "For Cause"

""For cause" is generally interpreted to mean serious misconduct, inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office, not mere policy disagreements. "

Volcker was my uncles golf partner. As much as I respected my uncle, I'm not so sure I'd agree with your sentiment.

Getting rammed thru, when everyone had left for Christmas break wasn’t by accident,,,

How long can the clowns keep juggling the plates in this circus? I keep hearing 25% of taxes collected today is used to pay interest on the debt. The debt keeps growing.

If the rates are cut we get more of our old friend inflation.

If not we get a drop in the stock market and a lower GDP. Unemployment goes up.

I am very open to any corrections. I am no financial expert. My opinion is in spite of the current view that the dollar is still on firm ground it is instead a bit wobbly.

"Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook’s job seemed safe from firing by President Donald Trump after Supreme Court justices skeptically questioned the Trump administration’s lawyers on Wednesday about the grounds for Cook’s would-be termination and its effect on the Fed’s historical independence.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh warned Solicitor General D. John Sauer about the effects of his argument that Trump could fire Cook or other Fed governors “for cause” — but without judicial review of whether that purported cause of alleged mortgage fraud was legitimate.

“Your position that there’s no judicial review, no process required, no remedy available, very low bar for cause — that the president alone determines — and that would weaken, if not shatter, the independence of the Federal Reserve,” said Kavanaugh, one of the court’s six conservatives."

Good!

You got the idea right.

But, are you seeing any signs of recession where you are? I'm sure not here....

Went to town the other day and everyone had out help wanted signs.

And it seems not much can keep this market down for long.

At the FOMC meeting this week, they will likely keep rates where they are........ as they should IMO.

But by the next meeting? If anything, they may need to RAISE rates, certainly not lower them.... despite what Trump wants........

The U.S. has full employment. Inflation is still above target. Should be raising rates. Dual mandate.

I wouldn't complain if they raised them this week but you know they won't........

Because pressure works

As recently as a couple weeks ago, Fed futures were pricing in up to three 25bp cuts by December of 2026.

As of two days ago Fed futures are not pricing a 100% chance of a 25 bp cut until June 2027.

Recall that immediately after the last 25bp cut......long term rates actually went up....not down. So the fed would be, IMO, pushing on a string at this point if they cut......which I can't see them doing.
It is also going to take a while for the increase in crude prices to filter through the economy even if the hostilities in the gulf stopped today.

Ang, things are good here. Lots of jobs. Fuel is going to hurt some this summer.

Put me in the camp that says the president has enough power. He doesn't need more. Regardless of who holds the office.

Not to nit pick most currency that is "printed" by the treasure is used to replace existing currency in circulation. Approximately 80 85 percent.

Most new money that is created is digital.

Doesn't matter who prints debt backed currency the fed owns it. The treasury owns coinage, technically the treasury could print trillion dollar coins and use it to pay debt and it wouldn't add to the money supply. Would be a very short sighted decision that has been flouted by short sighted politicians.

Fourth Quarter GDP was revised down to 0.7 percent. Crude is up 70% YTD. The Iran quick hit strategy appears to be in jeopardy so oil prices may stay high. Inflation will result if so. Job losses in February.

Somebody cue the stagflation watch.

Stagflation requires" high unemployment". Since we have a labor shortage, I believe this may not happen.

Getting to the base of the issue, justice is meant to be blind. The self acclaimed activist judge Boseard should be nowhere near this decision nor a court room period. There are many others wearing robes who shouldn’t as well.

Osky