The FED is the most difficult problem the US faces says stable genius about the best people

[Cuddles]

The interest rates were 0.25% (effectively zero) when Obama took office, and 0.75% when he left office. Interest rates were 0.75% when Trump took office, and they now sit at 2.5%. So rates were raised 0.5% over Obama's 8 years, and 1.75% over Trump's first 2.5 years.

you are correct, I erroneously counted 2017 rates

Now it feels like they're doing everything they can to hold the economy down, but really they're just playing catch up because economic growth was so slow after the recession.

.... but we need that cushion for the next recession. IMO, these rate hikes are a necessary evil.

Agreed. Though I do think politics played a part on Obama's 2nd term (keeping rates low)