Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said the Federal Reserve’s decision to lower its benchmark interest rate by a half percentage point was a “political move” and that a smaller cut would have been preferable.

The Federal Reserve made a 0.50 percentage point cut, double the typical reduction. Here's what's behind the decision.

The Federal Reserve hit the ground running on Wednesday with a big rate cut to kick off its easing cycle, signaling its seriousness about wanting to fend off any further deterioration in the labor market.