Outside of a U.S. President bending norms, the Fed also faces challenges in achieving its economic objectives. Inflation remains above its 2% target: Its preferred measure is at 2.4%, though core prices — considered a better gauge of where inflation is headed — rose 2.8% in November from a year ago.

While speaking at the World Economic Forum at Davos on Jan. 23rd, president Donald Trump announced plans to force the Federal Reserve into cutting interest rates without delay, escalating what will likely become a renewed battle with the central bank.