Swamp Notes The biggest predictions in politics next year
25 snips
Jan 2, 2026 
In this engaging discussion, Derek Brower, FT U.S. News Editor, and Lauren Fedor, Deputy Washington Bureau Chief, reflect on the wild and bizarre political events of 2025. They dissect Trump's influence on the Federal Reserve, explore the dynamics of Democratic identity, and predict their strategies for the upcoming midterms. The guests also highlight the shifting sentiments among Latino voters and the potential implications of economic risks, including a looming AI backlash, that could reshape political landscapes in the near future.
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Year Marked By Relentless Tumult
- 2025 felt relentless, tumultuous and bizarre across multiple major scenes in Washington.
- Lauren Fedor and Derek Brower highlight Liberation Day and the Fed showdown as defining moments of that chaos.
Hard Hats At The Fed
- Derek Brower described Trump's July visit to the Fed with hard hats as a startling, surreal pressure campaign.
- He said the optics left his jaw literally agape and revealed how the administration operates.
Fed Independence Faces Test
- Powell's Fed chair term ends in May and Trump will pick a successor under heavy political pressure.
- Derek Brower stresses the Fed still decides policy by vote, limiting instant presidential control.