By Michael S. Derby NEW YORK (Reuters) -Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said on Thursday he continues to believe the U.S. central bank should cut interest rates at the end of this month amid mounting risks to the economy and the strong likelihood that tariff-induced inflation will not drive a persistent rise in price pressures.

The speech comes as President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on the Fed to lower borrowing costs. Trump has repeatedly attacked Powell and has floated firing and replacing him before his term ends in May 2026. Waller, a Trump appointee, is considered a top contender for the job in part because of his dovish stance on interest rates.

A top Federal Reserve official said late Thursday that the central bank should cut its key interest rate later this month, carving out a different view than that of Chair Jerome Powell, who has been h