Fed meeting updates: Powell expected to hold interest rates steady in first decision of 2026

Jerome Powell, a particularly mild-mannered speaker, slammed recent attempts to intimidate his department.

Li Yuanqing/Xinhua via Getty Images

It's the first Fed day of 2026, and Chair Jerome Powell is in the hot seat.

Central bank leaders will announce their January interest rate decision at 2 p.m. ET. The meeting follows weeks of political pressure from the Trump administration and a recently announced Department of Justice probe.

Business Insider will be covering projections from economists...