3 key takeaways from Powell at January's Fed meeting

Powell typically abstains from directly engaging with Trump's personal attacks.

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• The Fed opted to hold rates steady in January.
• Fed Chair Jerome Powell gave an optimistic outlook on the economy, including AI job gains.
• The Fed's pattern of dissents continues under pressure from the Trump administration.

The first Federal Reserve meeting of 2026 is in the books, and Chair Jerome Powell stayed tight-lipped on the central bank's biggest controversies.