Federal Reserve officials have underscored the importance of maintaining policy independence, indicating a potential pause in rate cuts at the upcoming January meeting. Despite ongoing investigations into the Fed's headquarters renovation, officials, including Neel Kashkari and other regional presidents, stressed that monetary policy should remain free from political or judicial influence. With inflation still high and the U.S. economy showing resilience, most officials, except Fed Governor Mullaney, suggest that a rate cut is unlikely this month. Kashkari noted that while current rates should remain unchanged, conditions for a cut may develop later in the year. The market anticipates that rate cuts might resume after June, as the Fed continues to aim for its 2% inflation target.