In both economics and politics, there is a widespread view that central banks should be free of political pressure, with cautionary tales around the world of what happens when politicians meddle: out of control inflation, spiraling debt crises and economic collapse. And with the U.S. Federal Reserve's independence now under attack by President Trump, WSJ chief economics correspondent Nick Timiraos joins business and finance editor Alex Frangos, markets reporter Chelsey Dulaney and senior markets columnist James Mackintosh for our roundtable podcast exploring the impact on today’s investors, markets and the economy. Plus, Nick details the fallout from President Trump’s attempt to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook and unpacks the historical context of what has shaped our idea of Fed independence, including the Great Depression, World War II and the high inflation of the 1970s. And they discuss how politics can impact the Fed’s goal of regulating the economy and keeping inflation under control. Further Reading Fed Minutes Reveal Divide Over Outlook for Cuts The Supreme Court Just Became the Last Line of Defense for Fed Independence Supreme Court Allows Lisa Cook to Keep Her Job for Now Fed Independence Reaches Its Moment of Truth as Supreme Court Weighs Cook’s Fate Powell’s Last Stand: Balancing a Tricky Economy and Intense Political Pressure Trump Says He Is Removing Fed Governor Lisa Cook Appeals Court Rejects Trump Request to Remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook Why the Market Doesn’t Care Much About Trump Firing the Fed’s Cook Further Podcasts The Federal Reserve Under Siege Extreme Inflation From A to Z: Argentina Extreme Inflation From A to Z: Turkey Extreme Inflation From A to Z: Zimbabwe For more coverage of the markets and your investments, head to WSJ.com, WSJ’s Heard on the Street Column and WSJ’s Live Markets blog. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Send us an email to let us know what you think of the roundtable format: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.