Fitch Warns Fed Independence is Critical to US Credit Rating Stability

The world’s reserve currency is safe for now, but its guardian’s autonomy is under intense scrutiny. Fitch Ratings has explicitly stated that the Federal Reserve's independence is a primary factor supporting the United States' sovereign credit rating.

Fitch Fed Independence as a Pillar of US Sovereign Strength

According to Reuters, Fitch believes that any perceived erosion of the central bank's ability to set monetary policy without political interference could jeopardize the nation's creditworthiness. As of January 13, 2026, the rating agency emphasized that institutional strength remains a key differentiator for the AA+ rated superpower.

The warning comes at a sensitive time when fiscal deficits and political polarization are already weighing on market sentiment. Fitch noted that the Fed's commitment to a 2% inflation target must be driven by economic data rather than political cycles to maintain investor confidence.