The Fed faces economic uncertainty and political pressure as it decides whether to cut rates

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Fed to decide on possible rate cut this week

U.S. economy faces weak hiring and high inflation

Trump applies political pressure, targeting Powell and Cook

Division expected among Fed officials on size of cut

The Fed faces economic uncertainty and political pressure as it decides whether to cut rates

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a sign of how unusual this week’s Federal Reserve meeting is, the decision it will make on interest rates — usually the main event — is just one of the key unknowns to be resolved when officials gather Tuesday and Wednesday.

For now, it’s not even clear who will be there. The meeting will likely include Lisa Cook , an embattled governor, unless an appeals court or the Supreme Court rules in favor of an effort by President Donald Trump to re