In a unanimous decision that carries the weight of economic necessity over political comfort, the United States Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time in three years, moving it to a range of 3.75 to 4 percent. Persistent inflation, driven by tariffs, geopolitical conflict, and a surge in artificial intelligence spending, had climbed back to 3.4 percent — far enough from the Fed's 2 percent target to demand action. The decision, made against the vocal opposition of President Trump and just weeks before midterm elections, reflects an enduring tension in democratic