The Fed held rates at 3.5% to 3.75% as three officials sought a hike. Here is what inflation, jobs and Trump’s push for cheaper borrowing mean now.
Analysis
Taxes, trade, tariffs, jobs, inflation, and kitchen-table policy fights.
Crime Fell Again in 2026. Here’s What the Data Say
A 36-city report shows homicide, robbery and carjacking fell in early 2026. Here is what improved, what did not, what Trump can claim, and which warnings matter.
June Added 57,000 Jobs. The Details Matter
Payrolls rose by 57,000 in June and unemployment held at 4.2%. Wages improved, but downward revisions make this a cautious report.
Trump’s Michigan Auto Push Gets Real Factory Money
GM and Ford are putting billions into U.S. plants as Trump presses automakers to build at home. Michigan is seeing real commitments, with caveats.
China Trade Deficit Fell 32%. What Changed?
The U.S. goods deficit with China fell 32% in 2025. The result strengthens Trump’s trade case, but shifting imports are part of the story.
U.S. Oil Output Set Another Record in 2025
U.S. crude production averaged a record 13.6 million barrels a day in 2025. The numbers support Trump’s energy case, with an important caveat.
June CPI Fell, but Inflation Was Still 3.5%
June prices fell 0.4% after seasonal adjustment, but annual inflation remained 3.5%. Here is what improved and what still hurts.
Trump’s Smithsonian Order Has Real Limits
Trump ordered signs challenging Smithsonian history exhibits, but the museum’s unusual structure limits direct presidential control. Here is what comes next.
Trump’s AI Power Pledge Puts Ratepayers First
Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge says data centers should fund the power they need. Here is how it works and what consumers should watch as AI grows.
Trump’s Jordan Trade Deal Goes Beyond Tariffs
Trump’s Jordan trade deal opens markets for U.S. goods and adds rules on digital trade, forced labor and security. Read what changes and when it begins.