Fed Chair Powell warns against political pressure on courts and schools at JFK awards ceremony

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell used the John F. Kennedy award ceremony to warn against political pressure on federal institutions, courts, and educational establishments. Powell emphasized that the US has long been a leader of freedom-seeking nations worldwide.

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivered remarks upon receiving the JFK award, in which he warned of the dangers posed by political pressure on independent institutions. The speech was delivered at the John F. Kennedy awards ceremony, where Powell used the platform to speak about broader civic values.

Powell stressed that the United States has historically played a unique role in the world. "The United States has long been the leader of freedom-seeking peoples around the world — an irreplaceable nation," he said at the ceremony. This formulation can be interpreted as an allusion to the current political climate, in which disputes have emerged over the independence of central institutions.

Pressure on the Federal Reserve

As Federal Reserve Chair, Powell has recently faced repeated public attacks by President Donald Trump, who has called for interest rate cuts. In his speech, Powell defended the principle that the central bank must operate free from political pressure in order to fulfil its mandate to ensure price stability and employment.

Courts and education at risk

In addition to the Federal Reserve, Powell also addressed the independence of the court system and educational institutions, which have recently become the focal point of heated disputes in Washington. Mounting political pressure on these institutions has raised concerns both in the US and internationally. According to Powell, it is precisely the credibility of such institutions that distinguishes a strong democracy from a weaker one.