[Former New York Fed Chief Economist: Waller Trapped in 'Hawkish Persona,' Fed May Be Forced to Raise Rates] Reported by Golden Finance, on July 16, former New York Fed Chief Economist and Natixis U.S. Chief Economist Christopher Hodge stated that Federal Reserve Chair Waller's aggressive hawkish stance may be setting himself up for a dangerous 'credibility trap.' Hodge pointed out that Waller's aversion to 'forward guidance' and 'dot plots' has its rationale in the current environment filled with uncertainty, but it also reveals a dangerous tendency. 'Waller displayed extreme toughness in his first meeting, almost emphasizing "price stability" in bold and with exclamation marks in every statement,' Hodge analyzed. He suggested that this overly hawkish posture could tie Waller's hands. If CPI data in the coming months is distorted by short-term disruptions (such as tariffs or energy shocks), Waller might be forced to raise rates due to the persona he has established, even if it is not the optimal choice. Interestingly, Hodge joked that the only two 'dovish' moments in Waller's career occurred during his interviews for the Fed Chair position. This return to his hawkish nature may reflect his personal convictions but could also limit the flexibility of Fed policy. Despite Waller's sharp rhetoric, Natixis predicts that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates unchanged throughout 2026.