Why does the president get the credit and the blame for the economy?

Presidents often get the credit and the blame for the U.S. economy largely because they implement policies that can have immediate and far-reaching effects. In our constitutional design, however, economic influence is shared: Congress holds the power of the purse, determining government spending and taxation, while the Federal Reserve controls interest rates and monetary policy. The economy itself is a complex, ever-evolving system that operates beyond the influence of any single administration. In this episode, host Katie Dunn Tenpas and economist Wendy Edelberg, a senior fellow in Economic Studies, look at President Trump's latest actions—from across-the-board tariffs to aggressive downsizing of the federal workforce and programs—and examine whether new levels of uncertainty could have long-lasting economic consequences. Transcript and show notes. Democracy in Question is part of the Brookings Podcast Network. Subscribe and listen wherever you listen to podcasts. Send feedback to [email protected].