Fed officials huddle under pressure from Iran war, Trump’s rage

The Federal Reserve's rate-setting committee meets Tuesday and Wednesday amid unprecedented pressure from President Trump and economic disruption from the Iran war. The central bank held borrowing costs steady in January but now faces a significantly more volatile economic and political environment as it deliberates on monetary policy. Trump has been publicly critical of the Fed's decisions, while the conflict with Iran has created new inflationary pressures and market uncertainty that complicate the committee's inflation-fighting mandate. The meeting will test whether the Fed can maintain its independence from political pressure while responding to genuine economic headwinds beyond its control. Any rate decision will likely be scrutinized as either capitulation to Trump or defiance that could invite further presidential criticism.