The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday as Chair Kevin Warsh and Fed officials contend with volatile oil prices and persistent inflation since the pandemic. The Fed has now cited the conflict in the Middle East for contributing to economic uncertainty in four consecutive decisions to keep interest rates where they are. Trump accused board members of standing in the way of lower rates, in a gaggle with reporters Monday. The inflation rate last punched in at or below 2% in February 2021. Warsh has also shortened interest rate announcements from the FOMC, saying markets are overly sensitive to Fed communications.