White House’s Call to Discipline Fed Economists Exposes Political Pressure on Independent Analysis

In a striking display of political pressure, White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett has publicly called for discipline against Federal Reserve economists after their report showed that American consumers and businesses are bearing nearly all the costs of President Trump’s tariffs. Is it acceptable for government officials to threaten independent researchers simply because their findings challenge a preferred narrative?Why Is the Truth About Tariffs So Unwelcome?The recent Federal Reserve Bank of New York study revealed what many common-sense observers already suspected: despite claims by the administration that foreign exporters absorb tariff costs, U.S. importers—and ultimately American families—are paying...