Fed

• 聯邦上訴法院推翻了一項下級法院的禁制令，該禁制令曾命令 Trump 政府恢復發放給多個地方政府的聯邦補助金，重新開啟了數十億美元先前被扣留的資金。 • 該裁決源於一場關於政府如何解釋聯邦補助金附加條件的爭議，多個城市主張扣留資金等同於政治報復。 • 此裁決可能會影響未來政府是否將援助與政策合規性掛鉤，並對聯邦制與地方自治產生深遠影響。

• 根據白宮公告，川普政府公布了一份新的提名人名單，以領導多個聯邦委員會和信託基金，其中包括一個將監督今年重大文化頒獎典禮的機構。 • 獲選人選包括親近的政治盟友和保守派評論員，進一步強化了川普將心腹安置在監督職位上的模式，這些職位負責管理補助金、捐贈基金及公眾機構。 • 民主黨及部分良政監督組織表示擔憂，認為這些任命可能會將黨派標準注入傳統上不具政治立場的計劃。

• Oil 價格因 Iran-U.S. 衝突威脅全球供應而飆升，但受 Visa 與 Starbucks 於 2026 年 4 月 29 日發布的強勁財報推動，U.S. 股市在紀錄高點附近展現韌性。 • S&P 500 微跌 0.1%，Dow 下跌 286 點或 0.6%，Nasdaq 上漲 0.1%；根據執行長 Ryan McInerney，Visa 股價受韌性消費支出帶動上漲 8.3%，Starbucks 則受 North America 單次消費支出增加帶動而上漲 8.6%。 • Federal Reserve 官員暗示 2026 年不降息，幾乎消除了投資者的押注，甚至因能源價格引發的通膨而轉向支持升息；債券市場震盪。

• 88 歲的 DC 國會代表 Eleanor Holmes Norton defiance 地回應了 Trump 近 30 年來對該市政府最嚴重的聯邦威脅。 • Norton 在 Muriel Bowser 盟友的支持下，將 Trump 的行動視為地方控制權的一次政治勝利。 • 這次僵局凸顯了聯邦政府與 DC 治理之間持續存在的權力鬥爭。

• 一名聯邦法官駁回了司法部尋求訪問亞利桑那州選民登記數據的訴訟，裁定該州勝訴。 • 此案涉及選民名冊不準確的指控，但法院認為缺乏足夠證據來支持 Trump 政府的要求。 • 該裁決保護了州選民數據的隱私，並可能影響 2026 年期中選舉前關於選舉誠信的持續爭論。

• 聯準會週三投票決定將基準聯邦基金利率維持在 3.5% 至 3.75% 不變，理由是對伊朗戰爭導致通貨膨脹上升的擔憂。 • 這標誌著聯準會在此前 2025 年 9 月、10 月和 12 月連續三次調降 25 個基點後，繼續暫停調整利率。 • 聯準會主席 Jerome Powell 預計將於東部時間下午 2:30 舉行新聞發佈會討論此項決定，這可能是他作為聯準會主席的最後一次利率公告。

• 聯準會官員將高通膨、就業成長緩慢以及中東局勢不確定性列為維持利率不變的原因。 • 訂閱 Breaking News US 電子郵件，在您的收件匣中獲取新聞快訊。 • 美國聯準會（Federal Reserve）在最新的董事會會議後維持利率不變，再次無視 Donald Trump 的降息要求，同時央行正準備在下個月進行領導層的人事變動。

• 一個參議院委員會準備推進 Trump 的提名人選，而對於 Fed 的獨立性以及 Powell 的未來仍存在疑慮。 • Donald Trump 選定由 Kevin Warsh 領導 Federal Reserve，他預計將在週三通過一個關鍵的程序性門檻，為其在未來幾週接替 Jerome Powell 鋪路；與此同時，白宮正採取前所未有的舉措，試圖掌控這個全球最強大的中央銀行。 • 參議院銀行委員會定於美國東部時間上午 10 點（GMT 1400）投票，將 Warsh 的提名推進至由共和黨控制的參議院全體會議。在北卡羅來納州參議員 Thom Tillis 撤回反對意見後，委員會內的所有 13 位共和黨人預計都將支持 Warsh。此前，Tillis 將美國司法部在週五決定終止對 Powell 的刑事調查視為對 Fed 政治獨立性的威脅。

• 根據 2026 年 3 月 17 日發布的 Axios/Ipsos American Health Index，大多數美國人對醫療成本上升表示擔憂，並支持增加聯邦稅收支出以應對這些挑戰。 • 該民調顯示，在解決醫療可負擔性的政府行動上具有跨黨派的支持，反映出美國公眾對醫療費用攀升的普遍擔憂。 • 美國人對政府處理兒童疫苗接種決定的信任度也有所提升，顯示出公眾對健康政策干預具有更廣泛的信心。

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.