[Trump and Waller Weather Rate Hike Peacefully, But Their Friendship May Not Survive Another Increase] Jin10 News, September 18 – Nick Timiraos, senior Federal Reserve monetary policy reporter for The Wall Street Journal, wrote that Trump has consistently criticized the Federal Reserve for keeping interest rates too high. However, following the Fed's rate hike this week, he claimed that he had already expressed his approval of the decision during a phone call with Fed Chair Waller a few days prior to the decision. According to informed sources, the call between Trump and Waller came as a surprise to many of the president's close advisors. This "truce" clearly indicates that Waller has temporarily eased the previously tense relationship in which the White House viewed the Fed as an adversary. The risk lies in the possibility that this situation may only last until the Fed raises rates again. A senior government official stated that if the Fed decides to hike rates again in October (just before the midterm elections), Waller may find himself under stricter scrutiny from Trump and his advisors. Trump's portrayal of a hostile Federal Reserve Board may lead investors to question: Is Waller truly leading the Fed, or is he being swept along by the institution?