The central bank has defied Trump’s public criticism for months. The Fed has held interest rates steady for seven consecutive months, taking a wait-and-see approach as it voices concern about a possible burst of inflation as a result of Trump's tariff policy.

President Donald Trump called on the board of the Federal Reserve to take control from Chairman Jerome Powell if interest rates are not lowered. After a brief display of public friendliness, Trump resumed his rhetorical offensive against Powell on Wednesday after he announced that the Fed would not lower interest rates.

In the press conference following the Fed’s decision to keep rates unchanged, Powell hesitated to guide toward a rate in the coming months. He struck a hawkish tone, according to a note by Bank of America’s macroeconomics team, putting a damper on investor hopes that the FOMC’s next meeting in September could bring a rate cut.