Fed

• 联邦上诉法院推翻了下级法院的一项 injunction，该 injunction 曾命令 Trump administration 恢复向多个地方政府发放 federal grants，重新开启了先前被扣留的数十亿美元资金。 • 该裁决遵循了一场关于 administration 如何解读 federal grants 附加条件的争议，相关城市辩称扣留资金等同于政治报复。 • 该裁决可能会影响未来的 administrations 是否以及如何将援助与 policy compliance 挂钩，并对 federalism 和 local autonomy 产生影响。

• 特朗普政府公布了一批领导多个联邦委员会和信托基金的新提名人选，根据白宫的公告，其中包括一个将负责监管今年重大文化颁奖典礼的机构。 • 选中的人选包括亲密的政治盟友和保守派评论员，这强化了特朗普将亲信安置在负责管理拨款、捐赠基金和面向公众机构的监督职位上的模式。 • 民主党人和一些廉政监察组织表示担忧，认为这些任命可能会将党派标准注入传统上保持中立的项目中。

• 在 Iran-U.S. 冲突威胁全球供应之际，油价飙升，但受 Visa 和 Starbucks 于 2026 年 4 月 29 日发布的强劲财报推动，U.S. stocks 表现出韧性，维持在纪录高位附近。 • S&P 500 指数微跌 0.1%，Dow 下跌 286 点（0.6%），Nasdaq 上涨 0.1%；Visa 首席执行官 Ryan McInerney 称消费支出具有韧性，其股价跳涨 8.3%；Starbucks 因 North America 地区单次消费额增加而上涨 8.6%。 • Federal Reserve 官员暗示 2026 年不会降息，由于能源价格带来的通胀压力，这几乎消除了投资者的降息押注，甚至倾向于加息；债券市场出现震荡。

• 88 岁的华盛顿特区国会代表 Eleanor Holmes Norton 对特朗普发出的 30 年来最严重的联邦政府威胁做出了坚决回应。 • 在 Muriel Bowser 盟友的支持下，Norton 将特朗普的行为视为地方掌控权的政治胜利。 • 此次僵局凸显了联邦政府与华盛顿特区治理之间持续的权力斗争。

• 一名联邦法官驳回了司法部寻求访问亚利桑那州选民注册数据的诉讼，裁定该州获胜。 • 该案涉及选民名录不准确的指控，但法院认为没有足够的证据来支持特朗普政府的要求。 • 这一裁决保护了州选民数据的隐私，并可能影响 2026 年中期选举前关于选举诚信的持续争论。

• 美联储周三投票决定将基准联邦基金利率维持在 3.5% 至 3.75% 不变，理由是对伊朗战争期间通货膨胀上升的担忧。 • 这标志着在 2025 年 9 月、10 月和 12 月连续三次下调 25 个基点后，美联储继续暂停利率调整。 • 美联储主席 Jerome Powell 计划于东部时间下午 2:30 举行新闻发布会讨论该决定，这可能是他作为美联储主席最后一次利率公告。

• 美联储官员将维持利率不变的原因归结为高企的通胀、就业增长缓慢以及中东局势的不确定性。 • 在最近一次董事会会议后，美国联邦储备委员会（Fed）维持利率不变，再次无视了 Donald Trump 的降息要求，同时该央行正准备在下个月进行领导层调整。 • 周三，美联储官员继续将高通胀、就业增长缓慢和中东不确定性列为未调整利率的原因。阅读更多...

• 一个参议院委员会准备推进 Trump 的提名人选，而关于美联储独立性以及 Powell 未来去向的疑虑依然存在。 • Donald Trump 选定的美联储领导人 Kevin Warsh 将于周三通过一个关键的程序性审核，这将为其在未来几周内接替 Jerome Powell 铺平道路。与此同时，白宫正采取前所未有的努力试图控制这家全球最强大的中央银行。 • 参议院银行委员会定于东部时间上午 10 点 (1400 GMT) 投票，将 Warsh 的提名提交至由共和党控制的参议院全体会议进行表决。在北卡罗来纳州参议员 Thom Tillis 放弃反对之后，该委员会的所有 13 名共和党人都预计将支持 Warsh。此前，司法部周五决定结束对 Powell 的刑事调查，而 Tillis 此前认为该调查是对美联储政治独立性的威胁。

• 根据 2026 年 3 月 17 日发布的 Axios/Ipsos 美国健康指数（American Health Index），大多数美国人对医疗成本上涨表示担忧，并支持增加联邦税收支出以应对这些挑战。 • 此次民调显示，在医疗可负担性方面的政府行动得到了跨党派的支持，反映出美国公众对医疗费用攀升的普遍担忧。 • 美国人对政府处理儿童疫苗接种决定的信任度也有所提高，表明公众对健康政策干预的信心在增强。

Federal raids unfold in Twin Cities amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Minnesota officialsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxFederal agents under the command of the Trump administration have descended on Minnesota’s Twin Cities again to primarily target alleged fraud at daycares after the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s so-called “Operation Metro Surge” all but wound down earlier in the year.“Today the FBI with federal, state and local law enforcement is involved in court-authorized law enforcement activity as part of an ongoing fraud investigation,” the US justice department told the Guardian in a statement on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Exclusive: State government commits to strengthening laws as Higgins labels Albanese government’s response to women’s safety issues ‘disheartening’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Victorian government will strengthen laws regarding the use of victim-survivors’ confidential communications after a push by advocates including Brittany Higgins, who described her experience of having counselling records subpoenaed as a “violation”.In an interview with Guardian Australia, Higgins was also critical of the federal government’s lack of action following a sweeping review into the justice system’s responses to sexual violence, saying it had “completely fallen off the agenda”.Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html Continue reading...

• The Federal Reserve released minutes from its April 16 policy meeting, revealing internal division over the appropriate timeline for interest rate cuts, with several governors questioning whether inflation has declined sufficiently to warrant near-term reductions. • Hawks on the committee expressed concern that premature rate cuts could reignite price pressures, while doves argued that pausing at 5.5% risks unnecessarily constraining growth and employment, setting the stage for a contentious May 2 vote. • Market reactions to the minutes were mixed, with bond futures pricing in only a 28% probability of a rate cut by July 2026, down from 35% before the release, while equity index futures declined 0.6% on expectation of extended higher rates.

• U.S. stock futures fell late Sunday with Dow Jones Industrial Average futures down 130 points or 0.3%, S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq-100 futures also declining after record highs on Friday. • West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 2% above $96 per barrel following collapsed U.S.-Iran talks announced Saturday. • The Federal Reserve's interest-rate committee meets Tuesday-Wednesday, with Chair Jerome Powell's likely final press conference anticipated amid market highs.

• The Department of Justice dropped its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Powell regarding the agency's building expenditures, marking a significant development in federal oversight. • The decision came amid broader discussions on Capitol Hill about federal accountability, with both Republican and Democratic representatives weighing in on the implications. • The outcome reflects shifting priorities in federal investigations and debates over Fed governance and spending practices.

• The Department of Justice has dropped its investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, marking a significant policy shift. • The decision comes amid Trump's emergency economic orders, potentially easing tensions over Fed independence. • This move is viewed as stabilizing financial markets but criticized by conservatives seeking accountability on monetary policy.

The injunction pauses policy giving senior Trump official direct sign-off on federal clean energy projectsA federal judge in Massachusetts on Tuesday struck down several Trump administration actions slowing down development of clean energy, including a requirement that all solar and wind energy projects on federal lands and waters be personally approved by the interior secretary, Doug Burgum.Denise J Casper, chief judge of the US district court for Massachusetts, ruled that a coalition of plaintiffs representing wind and solar developers were likely to succeed on the merits of their claims that the administration’s actions violate federal statute and will cause irreparable harm if the court did not intervene. Continue reading...

Kevin Warsh, Trump’s ‘central casting’, has a long road ahead of convincing board members to lower interest ratesDonald Trump’s fate is to be frustrated by monetary policy.Even assuming he gets his way and Kevin Warsh succeeds Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve next month, it is unlikely that the president will finally gain control of the Fed. Continue reading...

• The president requires congressional approval to extend a 30-day federal takeover of unspecified operations beyond the initial period. • Lawmakers from both parties debate the scope, with costs projected at millions in taxpayer funds. • Extension could set precedent for future interventions, raising federalism concerns among states.

• 88-year-old congressional delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton is leading a back-seat response to the most serious federal threat to D.C.’s government in 30 years. • The challenge targets local autonomy, echoing Muriel Bowser's conflicts with Trump policies. • Victory for D.C. allies could preserve home rule amid national partisan divides.

• Kevin Warsh, President Trump's nominee for Federal Reserve Chair, testifies in his first Senate Banking Committee hearing at 1400 GMT on April 21, 2026, facing questions on Fed independence amid Trump's pressure to cut rates. • Warsh advocates reducing the Fed's balance sheet, conflicting with recent resumption of regular Treasury purchases in December 2025. • The hearing addresses hot topics like Fed autonomy and potential rate cuts, with USD firming after Monday's rally rejection.

Former Wall Street banker faces questions at confirmation hearing – but his biggest backer is also his biggest liabilityOn the face of it, Kevin Warsh looks like an ideal candidate to chair the Federal Reserve, the world’s most important central bank. The 56-year-old Ivy League economist, former Wall Street banker and presidential adviser ticks all the boxes. Unfortunately for Warsh, as he faces what could be a fraught nomination hearing, his biggest backer is also his biggest liability.In his second term, Donald Trump has attacked the Fed in a manner both unprecedented and unseemly. He has called current chair Jerome Powell – whom he also appointed – a “jerk”, “a stubborn MORON”, and repeatedly threatened to fire him. Continue reading...

The hearing marks a key hurdle Kevin Warsh must overcome in order to succeed Jerome Powell when his term ends on 15 MayHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Federal Reserve will commit to protecting central bank independence on interest rates at a crucial confirmation hearing later today.Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Donald Trump’s labor secretary, resigned from her role with the administration. She said it was “an honor and a privilege to serve” to serve and that she would take on a job in the private sector. The departure came after she became entangled in a string of political and personal controversies. Democrats celebrated, writing “this administration is imploding”.Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, called for Kash Patel’s immediate resignation following a report from the Atlantic detailing the FBI director’s alleged excessive drinking and absences. Patel has sued the magazine for defamation with his attorneys calling the article a “sweeping, malicious, and defamatory hit piece”.Donald Trump signed memorandums related to coal supply chains, natural gas and grid infrastructure on Monday. The president invoked the Defense Production Act in the energy-related memos, writing that increasing energy production is “essential to United States national defense”.The crowded field of Democratic candidates in the California’s governor’s race appears to be narrowing as Betty Yee — a former state controller— announced Monday she planned to end her campaign. Meanwhile, the California Democratic party chair Rusty Hicks continued to urge candidates trailing in the polls to exit the race. Continue reading...

Jose Serrano, a sergeant, said Deisy Rivera Ortega, his wife, was arrested at an immigration appointmentA US army sergeant with 27 years of military service – including deployment to Afghanistan – has said that federal immigration agents recently arrested his wife during an appointment at an El Paso, Texas, immigration office.In an interview with CBS News published Monday, Sgt First Class Jose Serrano said that Deisy Rivera Ortega, a Salvadoran and his wife, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers under the command of the Trump administration despite receiving legal protection in 2019 that bars her from being deported to El Salvador. Rivera Ortega, who wed Serrano in 2022, has been in the US since 2016, he said. Continue reading...

• President Donald Trump is backing Kevin Warsh as his preferred candidate for Federal Reserve chair, intensifying pressure on current Fed Chair Jerome Powell amid ongoing policy disagreements. • Republican Senator Kevin Cramer discussed the timeline for the CLARITY Act and Trump's strategy to reshape Federal Reserve leadership during an appearance on 'Mornings with Maria.'

Democratic lawmakers urged Republican leaders to postpone the confirmation hearing of Kevin WarshSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxDemocrats have moved to stall Donald Trump’s effort to exert greater control over the US Federal Reserve, condemning the president’s “absurd” bid to install a new leader of the central bank while it is targeted with criminal investigations.Democratic lawmakers on the Senate banking committee urged its Republican leadership on Thursday to postpone the planned confirmation hearing for Kevin Warsh, the financial executive and former Fed governor Trump has nominated to replace Jerome Powell as Fed chair. Continue reading...

Design among projects before US Commission of Fine Arts as lawsuits challenge scale and impactDonald Trump’s design for the triumphal arch he wants built at an entrance to the US capital comes up for a review and possible vote on Thursday by a key federal agency. It is one of several projects the US president is pursuing alongside a White House ballroom to leave his lasting footprint on Washington.Trump said on social media that the arch “will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World” and a “wonderful addition to the Washington D.C. area for all Americans to enjoy for many decades to come!”. Continue reading...

• President Donald Trump threatened to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell if he remains at the helm after his term ends next month. • Trump framed the move as part of efforts to align the central bank with his administration's economic agenda amid ongoing policy tensions. • The statement escalates executive pressure on the independent Fed, potentially destabilizing financial markets and sparking debates over central bank autonomy.