In fact, many worry that the move could trigger severe financial consequences, including a long-feared adjustment of the stock market that (according to at least one analyst) could send share prices tumbling 6,000 points to below 15,000 – nearly 30 percent below last week’s close.

Raising rates will also affect other sectors of the economy. Some fear rate hikes could lead to another housing crisis – when interest rates are high, it’s more difficult for homeowners to afford their mortgage payments.

Whatever negative effects the rate hikes will have on the economy, it’s an easy bet they will be blamed on President Donald Trump. The timing of this year’s rate hikes (there are two more projected before the end of 2017) has some wondering whether Janet Yellen and the Federal Reserve are playing politics and using the accelerated rate increases as a means to undermine Trump and his presidency.

Could this be true? Let’s look at the evidence.