The speech comes as President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on the Fed to lower borrowing costs. Trump has repeatedly attacked Powell and has floated firing and replacing him before his term ends in May 2026. Waller, a Trump appointee, is considered a top contender for the job in part because of his dovish stance on interest rates.

The central bank is poised to hold interest rates steady this month, but there could be a path to cut as early as September.