Kevin Waller, the newly appointed head of the U.S. Federal Reserve (the central bank of the United States), stated on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, that his tenure will bring significant changes to how the institution operates. He emphasized that inflation remains a top priority — describing it as a major ‘thorn’ for American households and businesses.
Waller made clear that tackling inflation head-on is his central objective. Speaking to CNBC, he said that by implementing the right policy mix, the Fed can overcome what he called a ‘plague’ on the U.S. economy. ‘The Fed’s number one goal is to shape monetary policy in the right way — or as close to it as possible,’ he said, adding that once the appropriate measures are fully in place, ‘the inflation surge of the past five years will be firmly in the past.’
Two months into his term, Waller has placed strong emphasis on inflation control. According to Reuters, he has repeatedly stressed during this period that ‘persistently high inflation has weighed heavily on American families and businesses — and this is something we must change. With the right actions, we can change it.’
Speaking before the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday, Waller noted that the U.S. economy continues to expand at a steady pace, demonstrating notable resilience amid ongoing challenges. He described as ‘impressive’ the sharp rise in business investment — driven largely by rapid infrastructure development for artificial intelligence. Waller added that AI is already reshaping — and will continue to reshape — the global marketplace, pointing to surging demand for AI-related hardware and software.